Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 56
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
संहारमुद्रयात्मानं कुम्भकेन निजात्मना राहुयुक्तैकदेशेन चन्द्रविम्बेन सन्निभं
saṃhāramudrayātmānaṃ kumbhakena nijātmanā rāhuyuktaikadeśena candravimbena sannibhaṃ
Dengan Saṃhāra-mudrā, dan melalui kumbhaka (tahan nafas) bersama diri batin sendiri, hendaklah membayangkan diri menyerupai cakera bulan—sebahagiannya tertutup pada satu bahagian, seolah-olah bersatu dengan Rāhu.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Inner visualization (dharāṇā) using Saṃhāra-mudrā and kumbhaka: self-image as a lunar disc partially eclipsed by Rāhu, to induce withdrawal/absorption and ‘dissolution’ (saṃhāra) orientation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Saṃhāra-mudrā Kumbhaka Dharāṇā: Candra-maṇḍala with Rāhu-saṃyoga","lookup_keywords":["saṃhāra-mudrā","kumbhaka","candra-vimba","rāhu","dharāṇā"],"quick_summary":"During kumbhaka, apply Saṃhāra-mudrā and visualize the self as the moon’s disc with a portion obscured like an eclipse by Rāhu—an inner rite for absorption and transformative restraint."}
Dosha: Pitta
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Saṃhāra (withdrawal/dissolution) is enacted internally by mudrā + breath-retention + archetypal cosmic imagery (eclipse) to reconfigure identity into a meditative ‘maṇḍala’.
Application: Use a stable visual symbol (moon-eclipse) to anchor attention during kumbhaka, aiding pratyāhāra and one-pointedness.
Khanda Section: Yoga-Pranayama and Tantric Dharana (Mudra-Kalpa / Inner Ritual Visualization)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditating practitioner with an inner ‘moon-disc’ aura; a dark arc (Rāhu) partially covers the luminous circle, suggesting eclipse; hands in Saṃhāra-mudrā; breath held in stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold circular candra-maṇḍala behind the yogin; a dark serpentine arc as Rāhu covering part of the disc; stylized mudrā hands; deep indigo background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed moon halo; blackened segment as eclipse; yogin with ornate jewelry minimal; gold detailing on the circular maṇḍala; temple-like frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional depiction of Saṃhāra-mudrā hand position; labeled moon-disc with partial cover; subtle nāḍī lines; calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night-sky terrace; yogin seated; large moon with a dark bite taken out; fine brushwork clouds; calligraphic note ‘Rāhu-yukta candra’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संहारमुद्रयात्मानं → संहार-मुद्रया आत्मानम्; राहुयुक्तैकदेशेन → राहु-युक्त-एकदेशेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84 (mudrā-kalpa, dhāraṇā, prāṇāyāma)
FAQs
It teaches a dhāraṇā method: using Saṃhāra-mudrā together with kumbhaka to stabilize attention and visualize the self as a moon-disc partially eclipsed by Rāhu—an image of controlled withdrawal and inner absorption.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical yogic technology—mudrā, breath-control, and visualization—showing it functions as a compendium of applied spiritual disciplines, not only mythic narration.
The eclipse-like visualization symbolizes saṃhāra (withdrawal/dissolution) of outward cognition; practiced with kumbhaka, it is meant to purify attention, restrain the senses, and conduce to deeper meditative stillness.