Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 7
Explanation of the Characteristics of Mudrās (मुद्रालक्षणकथनं)
आकुञ्चयेत् पूर्वमुद्रां दक्षिणेप्येवमेव च ऊर्ध्वाङ्गुष्ठो वाममुष्ठिर्मुद्रासिद्धिस्ततो भवेत्
ākuñcayet pūrvamudrāṃ dakṣiṇepyevameva ca ūrdhvāṅguṣṭho vāmamuṣṭhirmudrāsiddhistato bhavet
គេគួរបត់កន្ត្រាក់មុទ្រាមុន (ដែលបានបង្រៀនមុន) ជាមុនសិន ហើយនៅខាងស្តាំក៏ដូចគ្នា។ ដោយចងដៃឆ្វេងជាកណ្តាប់ដៃ និងលើកមេដៃឲ្យឈរ ការសម្រេចជោគជ័យនៃមុទ្រានោះកើតមាន។
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Finalization/confirmation of mudrā-siddhi: contracting the prior mudrā on both sides; left fist with upright thumb as a completion sign in ritual gesture practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mudrā-siddhi: contraction and upright-thumb left-fist seal","lookup_keywords":["mudrā-siddhi","ākūñcana","left fist","ūrdhva-aṅguṣṭha","gesture completion"],"quick_summary":"Instructs to curl/contract the earlier mudrā, repeat on the right side, and seal with a left fist and upright thumb—marking successful completion of the mudrā practice."}
Concept: Siddhi here is procedural correctness: symmetry (left/right) and a sealing gesture (mudrā-bandha) stabilize intention and attention.
Application: Use the upright-thumb left-fist as a consistent end-marker after completing a mudrā set, aiding memorization and reducing sequence errors.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric Mudra and Ritual Gestures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two-step depiction: first the hands curl inward to contract the prior mudrā; then the left hand forms a fist with the thumb upright, signaling completion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up hands with bold outlines: curling gesture then left-fist upright thumb, warm lamp glow, minimal background for clarity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, hands adorned with simple sacred thread motif, gold highlights on thumb and knuckles, framed as a ritual seal gesture.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic illustration with arrows showing contraction, then final seal pose; subtle lotus motif behind the left fist.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine brushwork on fingers, priest seated in profile, final upright-thumb fist emphasized with delicate shading and border ornament."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Raga Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दक्षिणेप्येवमेव = दक्षिणे + अपि + एवम् + एव; वाममुष्ठिर्मुद्रासिद्धिः = वाममुष्टिः + मुद्रा-सिद्धिः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 26 (preceding mudrā definitions that are to be 'contracted')
FAQs
It teaches a precise mudrā-formation method: contracting the previously taught gesture, mirroring it on the right side, and forming a left-hand fist with an upright thumb to achieve mudrā-siddhi (effective completion of the gesture) for worship.
Beyond narratives, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical technology—fine-grained rules for mudrās used in pūjā—showing its coverage of applied ritual science alongside many other disciplines.
Correct mudrā-execution is treated as making worship actions precise and efficacious, supporting purity of ritual performance and strengthening the intended devotional and mantra-linked results.