Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 6
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
उन्नम्य शनकैर् वक्रं मुखं विष्टभ्य चाग्रतः प्राणः स्वदेहजो वायुस्तस्यायामो निरोधनं
unnamya śanakair vakraṃ mukhaṃ viṣṭabhya cāgrataḥ prāṇaḥ svadehajo vāyustasyāyāmo nirodhanaṃ
उन्नम्य शनकैर्वक्रं मुखमग्रे नियोज्य च । प्राणो देहसमुद्भूतो वायुः स्यादायमो निरोधः ॥
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Definition and method of prāṇāyāma: gradual lifting/straightening, controlled forward-facing mouth posture, then measured extension and restraint of prāṇa-vāyu.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Prāṇāyāma—āyāma and nirodha of prāṇa-vāyu","lookup_keywords":["prāṇāyāma","prāṇa-vāyu","āyāma","nirodha","mukha-niyama"],"quick_summary":"Prāṇāyāma is defined as the deliberate extension and restraint of the vital wind within the body, supported by controlled posture and facial/oral steadiness."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Prāṇa as an internal vāyu; its measured expansion and restraint constitutes prāṇāyāma, aiding mind-control.
Application: Coordinate posture (gradual lift/align), gaze/face steadiness, and breath measurement; treat breath as a trainable internal force rather than a passive function.
Khanda Section: Yoga / Prāṇāyāma-vidhi (Haṭha-yoga style breath regulation within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic instruction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin gradually straightening the torso, face oriented forward with controlled mouth posture, illustrating the definition of prāṇāyāma as measured extension and restraint of prāṇa-vāyu.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sequential feel (suggested motion), yogin with subtly lifted torso, forward-facing calm visage, stylized breath lines near nostrils, muted temple interior backdrop","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central yogin with halo, gold accents framing the controlled posture, symbolic prāṇa currents as delicate gold filigree lines, serene devotional ambience","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout showing upright alignment and forward mouth control, fine shading, minimal background, emphasis on breath pathway depiction","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined profile-to-front facial control, delicate depiction of chest lift and stillness, faint calligraphic breath motifs, garden pavilion setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शनकैः (IAST śanakair) = शनकैः; च+अग्रतः → चाग्रतः; वायुः+तस्य → वायुस्तस्य; तस्य+आयामः → तस्यायामः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372.7-372.9 (recaka–pūraka–kumbhaka as components of prāṇāyāma)
FAQs
It defines prāṇāyāma technically as the measured extension (āyāma) and restraint (nirodha) of the prāṇa-vāyu, done with steady posture and controlled mouth/face orientation.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana also transmits practical disciplines like yoga; this verse is a concise technical definition of breath regulation, showing the text’s coverage of embodied sādhanā alongside ritual, polity, and arts.
Restraint of prāṇa is presented as a purifying discipline: by steadying the vital wind, the mind becomes controlled, supporting inner purification and meditative stability that leads toward spiritual merit and liberation-oriented practice.