Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 36
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
उपस्थं मानसो व्यापी श्रोत्रमङ्गुष्ठकद्वये तर्जन्यादिक्रमादष्टौ अतिरिक्तं तलद्वये
upasthaṃ mānaso vyāpī śrotramaṅguṣṭhakadvaye tarjanyādikramādaṣṭau atiriktaṃ taladvaye
उपस्थ (जननेन्द्रिय) मनामध्ये विन्यस्त करावा; सर्वव्यापी तत्त्व श्रोत्रात न्यास करावा. दोन्ही अंगठ्यांवर ठेवावा; मग तर्जनीपासून क्रमाने उरलेल्या आठ बोटांवर न्यास करावा; आणि उरलेला भाग दोन्ही तळहातांवर करावा.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Subtle-body mapping for nyāsa: assigning principles to generative organ, ear, thumbs, remaining fingers, and palms as part of prāṇāyāma-aṅga-vinyāsa or mantra-śarīra construction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṅga-vinyāsa Sequence: Ear–Thumbs–Fingers–Palms (with Upastha/Manas linkage)","lookup_keywords":["aṅga-vinyāsa","upastha","manas","kara-nyāsa","tala"],"quick_summary":"Gives a placement order linking upastha with manas, placing an all-pervading principle at the ear, then distributing placements across thumbs, fingers, and finally both palms."}
Concept: Microcosmic correspondences: sensory loci and hands become carriers of pervading principle through ordered touch (sparśa) and attention.
Application: Perform before mantra-japa: touch ear, thumbs, each finger in order, then palms, synchronizing with breath to stabilize prāṇa and concentration.
Khanda Section: Yoga & Tantra (Subtle-Body Mapping; Nyāsa/Prāṇāyāma-Aṅga-vinyāsa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner touches the ear, then thumbs, then each finger, ending with both palms, with subtle lines indicating the flow of a pervading principle through the hands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated sādhaka with clearly posed hands, sequential gesture depiction (ear to thumbs to fingers to palms), stylized energy lines, warm reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold highlights on palms and fingertips, ear ornament emphasized, sacred geometry faintly behind the figure, ritual calm.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional panel: step-by-step mini-vignettes showing ear-touch, thumb-touch, finger sequence, palm placement; fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with multiple moments in one frame (continuous narrative), sādhaka in a study with a manuscript, delicate depiction of hands and ear-touch, subtle aura."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रोत्रमङ्गुष्ठकद्वये = श्रोत्रम् अङ्गुष्ठक-द्वये; तर्जन्यादिक्रमादष्टौ = तर्जनी-आदि-क्रमात् अष्टौ; तलद्वये = तल-द्वये.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25 (Nyāsa/Prāṇāyāma aṅga-vinyāsa context); Adjacent kara-nyāsa prescriptions (25.34–25.38)
FAQs
It gives a nyāsa-style placement scheme: assigning specific principles/parts (mind, all-pervading principle) onto bodily loci—ear, thumbs, the eight remaining fingers in order, and finally both palms—used to ritually “install” power for mantra or yogic practice.
Alongside mythology and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical tantric-yogic micro-instructions (hand/finger/palm placements) typical of ritual manuals, showing its wide scope across embodied technique, mantra-ritual, and subtle anatomy.
Nyāsa is treated as sanctifying the body as a ritual vessel; correct placement is meant to purify the practitioner’s faculties, stabilize concentration, and make mantra-japa or worship more effective and merit-bearing.