Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 32
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
भावयन्निजमात्मानं नाभौ धृत्वाप्लवेत्ततः प्रादेशमात्रदर्भाभ्यामङ्गुष्टानामिकाग्रकैः
bhāvayannijamātmānaṃ nābhau dhṛtvāplavettataḥ prādeśamātradarbhābhyāmaṅguṣṭānāmikāgrakaiḥ
निज आत्मस्वरूपाचे भावन करून चित्त नाभीत स्थिर करावे. नंतर ‘प्लवन’ साधना करावी—प्रादेशमात्र दोन दर्भ घेऊन, त्यांच्या अग्रभागांना अंगठा व अनामिकेच्या टोकामध्ये धरावे.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Yoga and Dhāraṇā","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"A dhāraṇā sequence: self-contemplation, navel fixation (nābhi-kendra), then plavana practice using two span-length darbhas held between thumb and ring-finger tip—used for steadiness of prāṇa, ritual readiness, and subtle-body alignment before mantra/astric acts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nābhi-dhāraṇā with Darbha-plavana grip","lookup_keywords":["nābhi-dhāraṇā","plavana","darbha","aṅguṣṭha","anāmikā"],"quick_summary":"Fix attention at the navel and perform plavana using two span-length darbhas held in a specific mudrā-like grip; this stabilizes breath-mind coordination and prepares the practitioner for subsequent protective rites."}
Concept: Ātma-bhāvanā with kendra-dhāraṇā: the self is approached through disciplined attention at a bodily center, using external ritual aids (darbha) as supports for inner steadiness.
Application: Use a consistent hand-grip and a single attentional locus (nābhi) to reduce mental scatter before mantra recitation or homa sequences.
Khanda Section: Yoga and Dhāraṇā (Prāṇāyāma–Dhyāna–Mudrā practices)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seated practitioner focusing at the navel, holding two long darbha blades between thumb and ring-finger tips, posture steady, breath subtle; minimal ritual setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogic seated figure with clear hand gesture holding two darbhas, navel center subtly highlighted with a lotus motif, calm background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, serene yogi with gold accents on darbha tips and navel-lotus, rich textile details, minimal altar elements","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of finger placement (thumb to ring-finger tip) gripping two span-length darbhas, with navel focus indicated by a small chakra/lotus diagram","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, quiet interior with yogi seated on carpet, fine botanical rendering of darbha blades, subtle glow at navel"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भावयन्निजमात्मानम् = भावयन् + निजम् + आत्मानम्; धृत्वाप्लवेत् = धृत्वा + अप्लवेत्; दर्भाभ्यामङ्गुष्ठ... = दर्भाभ्याम् + अङ्गुष्ठ...; नामिकाग्रकैः = नामिका + अग्रकैः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (prāṇāyāma–dhyāna–mudrā sequence around plavana/aplava)
FAQs
It teaches a specific dhāraṇā-based yogic procedure: concentrate on the navel-center while performing a ‘plavana’ practice, using darbha grass of prescribed length held with a defined finger-grip (thumb and ring-finger tip).
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical manuals—here, a precise yogic/ritual micro-technique specifying bodily locus (nābhi), mental operation (bhāvana of Ātman), and material/hand-method (darbha and finger placement), typical of its wide-ranging instructional content.
By combining self-contemplation with disciplined bodily focus and ritual purity-symbols (darbha), the practice is framed as a means of inner purification and steadiness of mind, supporting spiritual attainment through controlled attention (dhāraṇā).