Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 21
Explanation of the Final Dissolution (Ātyantika Laya) and the Arising of Hiraṇyagarbha — Subtle Body, Post-Death Transit, Rebirth, and Embodied Constituents
जरायुवेष्टिते देहे मूर्ध्नि बद्धाञ्जलिस् तथा मध्ये क्लीवस्तु वामे स्त्री दक्षिणे पुरुषस्थितिः
jarāyuveṣṭite dehe mūrdhni baddhāñjalis tathā madhye klīvastu vāme strī dakṣiṇe puruṣasthitiḥ
Quando o corpo (do feto) está envolto pelo jarāyu (placenta), com as mãos unidas em añjali junto à cabeça, então: ao centro está o klība (neutro/impotente); à esquerda a fêmea; à direita o macho—tal é a posição de cada um.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Traditional obstetric/embryological description of fetal enclosure (jarayu) and fetal posture; used for explanatory teaching and prenatal counseling in classical frameworks.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jarayu-aveshtana and fetal posture; left/right sex-position doctrine","lookup_keywords":["jarayu","anjali","garbha-sthiti","kliba","stri-purusha"],"quick_summary":"The fetus is described as wrapped by jarayu (placental covering), hands in añjali near the head, and a doctrinal mapping of sex/klība positions (left female, right male, middle klība)."}
Concept: Embodied life is constrained and ordered within a protective enclosure; bodily differentiation is framed through traditional positional doctrines.
Application: Used to communicate humility and vulnerability of embodied existence; supports ethical care for pregnancy and reverence for life-in-formation.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Garbha-śārīra (Embryology and anatomy)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fetus curled within a translucent jarayu membrane, hands joined in añjali near the head; left-right spatial mapping indicated subtly (female left, male right, klība center) as a schematic overlay.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, womb as lotus chamber, translucent jarayu veil, fetus in curled posture with añjali-mudra, subtle left-right symbolic markers, traditional bold outlines and earthy colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted jarayu aura, fetus in añjali with ornate border, symbolic left/right indicators (female/male) as small emblems, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram of fetal posture: jarayu envelope, añjali hands, labeled left/right/center positions, clean composition with delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine anatomical stylization of membrane and curled fetus, schematic left-right annotations in the margin, restrained palette, precise linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जरायुवेष्टिते = जरायु + वेष्टिते; बद्धाञ्जलिः = बद्ध + अञ्जलिः; क्लीवस्तु = क्लीवः + तु; पुरुषस्थितिः = पुरुष + स्थितिः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 368.22 (abdominal region/back-facing orientation)
FAQs
Ayurvedic garbha-śārīra knowledge: it describes the fetus as jarāyu-enclosed and gives a traditional schema for left/right/middle positioning corresponding to female/male/klība (sex-indeterminate/impotent).
It shows the text’s medical-technical coverage beyond mythology—cataloging embryological and anatomical notions (placenta, fetal posture, sex-differentiation concepts) alongside ritual, dharma, and other sciences.
By portraying the fetus in an añjali-like posture and classifying embodied states, the verse frames birth as governed by natural order and prior karmic conditions, encouraging reverence for life and mindful conduct regarding progeny.