Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
निराधारा द्वयोस्तेषां साधारा सकलस्य तु आधारनिरपेक्षेण क्रियते शम्भुचर्यया
nirādhārā dvayosteṣāṃ sādhārā sakalasya tu ādhāranirapekṣeṇa kriyate śambhucaryayā
അവയിൽ രണ്ടിനായി നിരാധാരാ (ആധാരരഹിത) ദീക്ഷയും, ‘സകല’ത്തിനായി സാധാരാ (ആധാരസഹിത) ദീക്ഷയും ഉണ്ട്. എങ്കിലും ശംഭുചര്യയാൽ അത് ആധാരനിരപേക്ഷമായി തന്നെ നിർവഹിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Clarifying when practice is performed without an external/internal support (adhara) versus with supports, and how Shambhava/Śambhu-caryā enables a support-independent performance even within ‘complete’ practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Śambhu-caryā and Ādhāra-nirapekṣa Sādhana","lookup_keywords":["Shambhu-carya","adhara","niradhara","sadhara","sakala"],"quick_summary":"Two modes are supportless, while the complete (sakala) mode is supported; yet Śambhu-caryā performs the practice independent of supports, emphasizing direct inner realization over props."}
Concept: True Śaiva discipline can be executed without reliance on supports (objects, loci, constructs), pointing to immediacy of awareness (Śambhu-bhāva) even when ritual frameworks exist.
Application: When supports are unavailable (no shrine/mandala/time), maintain the core practice as direct recognition: stabilize attention in awareness itself, letting supports be optional rather than necessary.
Khanda Section: Yoga and Shaiva Sadhana (Shambhava/Śambhu-caryā; non-dependent meditative practice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin practicing Śambhu-caryā in stillness, with ritual supports shown fading into the background, indicating independence from external props.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, meditating Shaiva yogin with subtle third-eye glow, faint mandala and ritual items dissolving into plain background, strong contours, serene temple-wall aesthetic.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central yogin with gold halo, minimal props, subdued shrine elements at the edges, emphasis on inner light at the brow, ornate border but simple center.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: left shows sadhara with mandala/nyasa, right shows niradhara seated meditation; fine lines, labeled elements, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a quiet pavilion, attendants and ritual objects set aside, focus on facial serenity and still posture, delicate landscape beyond."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वयोस्तेषाम् = द्वयोः + तेषाम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (niradhara/sadhara diksha discussion); Agni Purana yoga and dhyana passages (general)
FAQs
It teaches the Śaiva-yogic principle of ādhāra (support) versus nirādhāra (supportless) practice, stating that Śambhu-caryā enables a practitioner to perform the discipline without relying on external or bodily supports.
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana includes compact technical yoga instructions; this verse preserves a specialized Shaiva terminology (ādhāra/nirādhāra, Śambhu-caryā) showing its coverage of meditative science as part of its wide-ranging knowledge system.
Support-independent practice implies inner steadiness and non-attachment to props or external aids; it is presented as a purifying Śaiva discipline that stabilizes meditation and directs the practitioner toward liberation-oriented realization.