Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
शिखाहृत्सम्पुटीभूतं स्वाहान्तं सृणिमुद्रया पूरकेण समाकृष्य पाशं मस्तकसूत्रतः
śikhāhṛtsampuṭībhūtaṃ svāhāntaṃ sṛṇimudrayā pūrakeṇa samākṛṣya pāśaṃ mastakasūtrataḥ
Setelah mengurung (mantra) dalam “peti” yang terbentuk daripada jambul (śikhā) dan hati, serta mengakhirinya dengan “svāhā”, hendaklah dengan Sṛṇī-mudrā dan melalui tarikan nafas (pūraka) menarik jerat (pāśa) ke atas sepanjang “benang kepala” (mastaka-sūtra).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Nyāsa + mudrā + prāṇāyāma integration: seal the mantra between śikhā and hṛt (protective ‘sampuṭa’), append svāhā, apply Sṛṇī-mudrā, and use inhalation to draw the pāśa upward along the central head-thread for control/withdrawal of binding energies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śikhā–hṛt-sampuṭa with svāhā; Sṛṇī-mudrā and pūraka to draw pāśa via mastaka-sūtra","lookup_keywords":["śikhā-sampuṭa","hṛt-sampuṭa","svāhā","Sṛṇī-mudrā","mastaka-sūtra"],"quick_summary":"Teaches a concrete ritual-yogic operation: mantra is sealed in a protective casket (śikhā and heart), empowered with svāhā, and—using Sṛṇī-mudrā plus inhalation—the noose-energy is drawn upward through the head-channel."}
Concept: Body as mantra-vessel: śikhā and hṛdaya function as sealing points; prāṇa (pūraka) moves subtle bonds upward for mastery and purification.
Application: In protective worship, coordinate mudrā with inhalation to ‘lift’ constricting energies; keep attention on the central axis (mastaka-sūtra) while maintaining the mantra-sampuṭa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-tantra and Mudra procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest-sādhaka forms a ‘casket’ gesture linking topknot and heart, inscribes svāhā in the air, displays Sṛṇī-mudrā, and with a visible inhalation draws a rope-like pāśa upward along a shining head-thread channel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized priest with prominent śikhā, hand mudrās clearly shown, glowing line from heart to crown (mastaka-sūtra), rope-noose rising upward, flat ornamental temple background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central figure with gold-highlighted crown and heart lotus, embossed gold line for mastaka-sūtra, svāhā rendered as golden script, ornate jewelry and borders, deep saturated palette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: close-up of hands in Sṛṇī-mudrā, diagrammatic heart and crown points, subtle rope being drawn upward with breath, gentle colors and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior scene with a sādhaka before a small altar, delicate depiction of breath as faint mist, luminous thread from head, calligraphic svāhā, refined textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिखाहृत्सम्पुटीभूतम् = शिखा + हृत् + सम्पुटी + भूतम्; मस्तकसूत्रतः = मस्तकसूत्र + तः (अव्ययीभाव).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88 (pūjā-vidhi: mudrā, nyāsa, sampuṭīkaraṇa; prāṇāyāma-linked actions)
FAQs
It teaches a specific mantra-application method: enclosing the mantra in a ‘sampuṭa’ linked to śikhā and heart, sealing it with “svāhā,” and using Sṛṇī-mudrā together with inhalation (pūraka) to ‘draw up’ a visualized/ritual noose (pāśa) along the head-line.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational ritual technology—precise instructions combining mantra-ending conventions (svāhā), mudrā technique, and prāṇāyāma-based visualization—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgy and tantra-like procedures.
By integrating mantra, breath, and mudrā, the rite is framed as a controlled act of inner purification and focused intent (saṅkalpa), directing prāṇa and mantra-power for protection, restraint, or attraction while maintaining ritual correctness.