Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 3
Explanation of the Characteristics of Mudrās (मुद्रालक्षणकथनं)
तिस्रः साधरणा व्यूहे अथासाधरणा इमाः कनिष्ठादिविमोकेन अष्टो मुद्रा यथाक्रमं
tisraḥ sādharaṇā vyūhe athāsādharaṇā imāḥ kaniṣṭhādivimokena aṣṭo mudrā yathākramaṃ
Dalam vyūha (susunan ritual) terdapat tiga mudrā yang umum; kini diajarkan mudrā yang tidak umum ini. Dengan membuka/melepaskan jari secara berurutan mulai dari kelingking, terbentuk delapan mudrā menurut urutannya.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Classification and sequencing of mudrās within a ritual ‘vyūha’ (arrangement): distinguishes common vs uncommon mudrās and gives a procedural rule—eight mudrās executed by successive unfolding starting from the little finger—useful for standardized pūjā/nyāsa choreography.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mudrā taxonomy in ritual vyūha: three sādhāraṇa and eight asādhāraṇa by kanīṣṭhā-vimoka","lookup_keywords":["vyūha","sādhāraṇa-mudrā","asādhāraṇa-mudrā","kanīṣṭhā-vimoka","aṣṭa-mudrā"],"quick_summary":"Mudrās are organized for ritual deployment: three are common, and eight uncommon are performed in order by progressively releasing the fingers beginning with the little finger. This provides a repeatable choreography for mantra-ritual formations."}
Concept: Ritual knowledge is modular and classifiable; efficacy depends on correct taxonomy (common/uncommon) and correct sequence (krama) of enactment.
Application: When teaching or performing pūjā, standardize mudrā practice by grouping gestures and drilling the finger-release sequence to avoid procedural errors.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Mantric Mudra-Vidya in ritual formations/nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher demonstrates a sequence of eight mudrās by progressively releasing fingers starting from the little finger; a schematic ‘vyūha’ layout is shown on the floor or palm-leaf diagram, indicating common vs uncommon sets.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, instructional tableau: guru and disciple, enlarged hands showing finger-release sequence from little finger, a simple mandala/vyūha diagram beside them, bold outlines and flat temple-mural palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate but didactic: eight small panels around the border each showing a mudrā step, central guru figure, gold foil highlights on hand positions, rich decorative framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear stepwise chart: numbered hand gestures from kanīṣṭhā release onward, minimal background, fine lines and soft colors, emphasis on order (yathākramam)","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, manuscript page with sequential vignettes of hands, teacher pointing to a vyūha diagram, delicate detailing and balanced negative space for the ‘list’ nature of the verse"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi: athāsādharaṇā → atha asādharaṇāḥ; kaniṣṭhādivimokena = kaniṣṭhā + ādi + vimokena; yathākramaṃ = yathā + kramam (avyayībhāva).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 26 (continued enumeration of the eight mudrās and their individual lakṣaṇas); Agni Purana 25 (use of ‘vyūha’ concept in ritual/martial-adjacent contexts)
FAQs
It classifies mudrās used in ritual “vyūha” (arranged sequence/formation), distinguishing common and special mudrās, and specifies an eight-fold series performed by sequentially releasing the fingers beginning with the little finger.
Beyond mythology, it preserves procedural liturgy—precise hand-gesture taxonomies and performance cues—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of practical ritual technology (mudrā, nyāsa, and pūjā-krama) alongside broader dharma and śāstra topics.
Correct mudrā-krama is treated as a “seal” that stabilizes mantra and intention in worship; performing the gestures in proper order is understood to enhance ritual efficacy, purity, and the intended devotional/propitiatory result.