Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 34
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
आदितत्त्वानि संहृत्य परमार्थे लयः क्रमात् पुनरुत्पादयेच्छिष्यं सृष्टिमार्गेण देशिकः
āditattvāni saṃhṛtya paramārthe layaḥ kramāt punarutpādayecchiṣyaṃ sṛṣṭimārgeṇa deśikaḥ
आदितत्त्वानि संहृत्य परमार्थे क्रमात् लयं नयेत्। ततः देशिकः सृष्टिमार्गेण शिष्यं पुनरुत्पादयेत्।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Guru-led inner process in diksha/yoga: dissolve tattvas into the Supreme (laya-krama) and reconstitute the disciple through srishti-krama, modeling cosmic dissolution and creation for transformation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Srishti–Laya Prakriya in Diksha: Tattva-samhara and Punah-srishti","lookup_keywords":["tattva-samhara","laya-krama","srishti-marga","diksha-guru","paramartha"],"quick_summary":"The teacher guides the disciple through a reverse-cosmic withdrawal of principles into the Supreme, then re-manifests him via the creation sequence—ritually re-birthing the initiate."}
Concept: Microcosm–macrocosm identity: the disciple is dissolved into paramartha (Supreme Reality) via tattva-laya and reconstituted via srishti-krama, indicating transformation of identity under diksha.
Application: As a meditative/initiatory method: practice systematic withdrawal (pratyahara/laya) and re-emergence (srishti) under guidance to stabilize non-dual orientation and disciplined embodiment.
Khanda Section: Yoga–Vedanta / Tantric Srishti-Laya-Prakriya (Guru–Shishya Upadesha)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru instructs a disciple in an inner visualization: tattvas withdraw like layers collapsing into a luminous Supreme, then unfold again as creation, symbolizing ritual rebirth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, cosmic diagram behind guru and disciple, concentric layers dissolving into a central radiant bindu, then re-expanding, earthy palette with luminous center, iconic seated figures","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central golden radiance representing paramartha, layered cosmic principles shown as lotus-like rings collapsing and blooming again, guru and disciple in foreground with gold work emphasizing the Supreme","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear schematic of tattva-laya (inward arrows) and srishti (outward arrows), guru pointing to the diagram while disciple meditates, refined lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, philosophical teaching scene in a pavilion opening to a night sky, delicate depiction of concentric cosmological spheres dissolving into light and re-forming, fine detailing and borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुनरुत्पादयेच्छिष्यं = पुनः + उत्पादयेत् + शिष्यम् (पुनः→पुनर् before vowel; त्+श् sandhi in येत्+शिष्यं)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (Yoga–Vedanta/Tantric prakriya within puja-vidhi context)
FAQs
It teaches the tantric-yogic procedure of laya-krama (sequential dissolution of tattvas into the Supreme) followed by sṛṣṭi-mārga (sequential re-emanation), framed as a guru’s method of transforming or ritually “reconstituting” the disciple.
Beyond mythology, it preserves a technical metaphysical praxis—mapping creation/dissolution as an ordered tattva-process and embedding it in guru–śiṣya discipline—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of yoga/tantra alongside other sciences.
The instruction signifies inner purification and transformation: dissolving identity into the Supreme (paramārtha) and re-emerging through a consecrated, ordered process under the guru, symbolizing rebirth into disciplined spiritual awareness.