Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
हृदाकृष्य तथा स्नाप्य पुनः संहारमुद्रया शेषं मृद्भागमादाय प्रविश्य नाभिवारिणि
hṛdākṛṣya tathā snāpya punaḥ saṃhāramudrayā śeṣaṃ mṛdbhāgamādāya praviśya nābhivāriṇi
അതിനെ ഹൃദയത്തിലേക്ക് ആകർഷിച്ച് അതനുസരിച്ച് സ്നാനം ചെയ്ത ശേഷം, വീണ്ടും സംഹാരമുദ്രയാൽ; ശേഷിക്കുന്ന മണ്ണിന്റെ ഭാഗം എടുത്ത് നാഭിപ്രദേശത്തിലെ ജലത്തിൽ പ്രവേശിപ്പിച്ച് നിക്ഷേപിക്കണം।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Clay (mṛt) used in snāna is ritually internalized (hṛdaya) and then dissolved/returned to water with saṃhāra-mudrā, completing purification and withdrawal.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mṛd-nyāsa in Snāna: Hṛdaya-ākarṣaṇa and Saṃhāra-mudrā","lookup_keywords":["saṃhāra-mudrā","mṛd-bhāga","hṛdaya-ākarṣaṇa","nābhi-vāri","snāna-prayoga"],"quick_summary":"After drawing the rite into the heart and bathing, seal with saṃhāra-mudrā; take the remaining clay portion and place it into the navel-water region to conclude and withdraw the operation."}
Concept: Saṃhāra (withdrawal) is essential after projection; ritual substances are returned/dissolved to avoid residue (śeṣa-doṣa).
Application: Always conclude mantra/mudrā operations with a withdrawal gesture and proper disposal/return of ritual media (clay, water) to maintain ritual integrity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Ritual Procedures and Mudras)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bather performs a heart-centered gesture, then a closing saṃhāra-mudrā; a small lump of clay is placed into the water near the navel level, symbolizing dissolution.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close framing on torso and hands, stylized saṃhāra-mudrā, clay and water rendered with traditional patterns, calm sacred mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on hand-gesture and water ripples, devotee at tank, clay depicted as sacred substance, ornate border emphasizing completion/closure.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, step-by-step depiction of mudrā and placement of remaining clay into water at navel height; clean lines, didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate bathing scene at ghat, careful rendering of hands and clay, subtle aura indicating internalization into the heart and subsequent withdrawal."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: hṛdākṛṣya → hṛdā ākṛṣya; saṃhāramudrayā → saṃhāra-mudrayā; mṛdbhāgamādāya → mṛd-bhāgam ādāya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (mudrā sequences; snāna with mṛd and nyāsa)
FAQs
It teaches a mudrā-governed purification step: draw the ritual substance inward (to the heart), ritually bathe it, apply the Saṃhāra-mudrā (withdrawal/dissolution gesture), then place the remaining clay portion into the navel-associated water center.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana preserves procedural ritual technology—specific mudrās, internal placements (heart/navel centers), and handling of ritual materials—showing its scope as a manual of applied religious practice alongside many other sciences.
The sequence symbolizes internalizing purity (heart), cleansing, and then dissolving residual impurity through Saṃhāra (withdrawal), culminating in a harmonizing placement at the navel-center—aimed at ritual purification and merit through correct performance.