Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 7
Daṣṭa-cikitsā (Treatment for Bites) — Mantra-Dhyāna-Auṣadha Protocols for Viṣa
अङ्गुष्ठाद्यङ्गुलीमध्ये पर्यस्तेषु स्ववेश्मसु सुवर्णनागवाहेन वेष्ठितेषु न्यसेत् क्रमात्
aṅguṣṭhādyaṅgulīmadhye paryasteṣu svaveśmasu suvarṇanāgavāhena veṣṭhiteṣu nyaset kramāt
ਫਿਰ ਅੰਗੂਠੇ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਂਗਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੱਧ ਭਾਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਥਿਤ ਆਪਣੇ-ਆਪਣੇ ‘ਵੇਸ਼ਮ’ (ਆਵਾਸ-ਸਥਾਨ) ਵਿੱਚ, ਜੋ ਸੁਵਰਨ ਨਾਗਵਾਹ (ਸਰਪ-ਧਾਰਾ) ਨਾਲ ਘਿਰੇ ਹਨ, ਕ੍ਰਮ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਨਿਆਸ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Performing kara-nyāsa/anga-nyāsa by placing mantra-power into finger-abodes, visualizing a golden serpent-current encircling the placements for protection and activation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kara-nyāsa on finger-madhya with suvarṇa-nāga-vāha veṣṭana","lookup_keywords":["kara-nyasa","anguli madhya","svaveshma","suvarna naga","veshtita"],"quick_summary":"Instructs sequential nyāsa on designated loci in the middle of the fingers starting from the thumb, with a protective visualization of a golden serpent-current encircling the loci."}
Concept: Nyāsa as embodiment of mantra: installing sacred phonemes/powers into bodily loci to transform the practitioner into a fit vessel (adhikārin).
Application: Improves steadiness and ritual efficacy by standardizing hand-placements and protective visualization.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantric Nyasa and Mudra (Anga-nyasa, Kara-nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in pūjā posture performing kara-nyāsa: touching the middle regions of fingers from thumb onward, while visualizing a golden serpent-current coiling around the fingers like a luminous ring.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized sādhaka with sacred thread, hands prominent; golden serpent-energy (nāga) encircling fingers; minimal background with lamp and pūjā tray; bold outlines and flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold work: hands enlarged for emphasis, gold-foil serpent coil around fingers; ornate jewelry and halo; rich textiles and temple lamp; devotional yet instructional composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise hand-gesture depiction; labeled finger-loci (thumb onward) on a manuscript-like panel; translucent golden nāga-bandha encircling the fingers; clean pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: a yogin in a quiet chamber, detailed hands performing nyāsa; delicate golden serpent motif winding around fingers; fine textiles, inked annotations near the hands."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अङ्गुष्ठाद्यङ्गुलीमध्ये = अङ्गुष्ठ-आदि-अङ्गुली-मध्ये; verse uses multiple सप्तमी-locatives indicating loci for nyāsa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana puja-vidhi sections on kara-nyāsa and aṅga-nyāsa (same khanda, adjacent verses); Agni Purana mantra-anga-vinyāsa instructions in subsequent verses
FAQs
It teaches kara-nyāsa: the ordered placement (nyāsa) on the specified finger-locations beginning from the thumb, visualizing the finger-centers as assigned ‘abodes’ encircled by a golden serpent-like current.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves precise operational details of tantric-puja practice—mapping subtle locations on the hand and prescribing a stepwise ritual method—showing its role as a practical manual of mantra-ritual technology.
Correct nyāsa is held to sacralize the practitioner’s body as a fit vessel for mantra, aiding concentration and ritual purity, and thereby supporting the intended spiritual fruit (siddhi/merit) of the worship.