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
व्यूह (अनुष्ठान-रचना) मध्ये तीन साधारण मुद्रा आहेत; आता या असाधारण मुद्रा सांगितल्या जातात. कनिष्ठा (लहान बोट) पासून क्रमाने सोडत/उलगडत गेल्यास, यथाक्रम आठ मुद्रा होतात।
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.