Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 12
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
अजितान्नारुहेद्भूमिं हिक्काश्वासादयस् तथा जिते प्राणे खल्पदोजविन्मूत्रादि प्रजायते
ajitānnāruhedbhūmiṃ hikkāśvāsādayas tathā jite prāṇe khalpadojavinmūtrādi prajāyate
பிராணனை வெல்லாதவர் உயர்ந்த நிலத்திற்கேறக் கூடாது; இல்லையெனில் விக்கல், மூச்சுத்திணறல் முதலியவை உண்டாகும். ஆனால் பிராணவிஜயம் ஏற்பட்டால் கபாதி தோஷங்களும் மலம்-மூத்திரம் முதலிய குறைபாடுகளும் முறையாகக் கட்டுப்பட்டு தணியும்.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Guidance for exertion and altitude/strain management based on prāṇa-control; prevention/management of hiccup and dyspnoea through breath mastery and regulated activity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāṇa-ajaya (unmastered breath): contraindication for climbing; prāṇa-jaya benefits in śvāsa-hikkā and excretory regulation","lookup_keywords":["prāṇa-jaya","hikkā","śvāsa","ārohaṇa (climbing) contraindication","kapha mala-mūtra"],"quick_summary":"Warns against strenuous ascent when breath is uncontrolled, as it provokes hiccup and dyspnoea. Mastery of prāṇa makes kapha-related and excretory disturbances manageable through regulation rather than aggravation."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Prāṇa-saṃyama as a prerequisite for safe action; mastery of inner wind governs outer movement and bodily functions.
Application: Use breath discipline before undertaking strenuous tasks; treat prāṇa-control as foundational to health and steadiness.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-nidana / Pranayama and disorders of breath)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler begins to climb a hill but pauses, practicing controlled breathing; a contrasting figure struggles with hiccups/dyspnoea on the slope; subtle depiction of kapha heaviness and regulated excretion as balance symbols.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, hillside path with two figures: one seated in prāṇāyāma posture with calm aura, another bent with hikkā/śvāsa distress, stylized wind lines around chest, earthy greens and reds, temple-forest ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central calm yogin with gold halo-like prāṇa aura, hill in background, distressed climber to the side, ornate border, symbolic lotus for regulated prāṇa","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional split-scene: 'अजितप्राणः' side showing labored breathing while climbing; 'जितप्राणः' side showing steady ascent after prāṇāyāma, fine annotations and gentle palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape with rocky incline, one figure practicing breath control under a tree, another coughing/hiccupping mid-climb, delicate cloud-wind motifs, naturalistic rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अजितान्नारुहेद्भूमिं = अजितात् + न + आरुहेत् + भूमिम्; हिक्काश्वासादयस् = हिक्काश्वासादयः (visarga sandhi); जिते प्राणे = locative absolute; (खल्पदोजविन्मूत्रादि: बहुपद-समास/समुच्चय)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372 (Ayurveda/yoga-adjacent notes on prāṇa and disorders)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayurvedic–yogic rule: without mastery of prāṇa (breath control), one should avoid exertion such as climbing, since it can trigger hikkā (hiccup) and śvāsa (dyspnoea); prāṇa-jaya is presented as a means to stabilize such bodily disturbances.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical health instruction—linking breath regulation, exertion, and clinical symptoms (hiccup, breathlessness, kapha imbalance, bowel/urinary disturbance)—showing its coverage of applied Ayurveda and yogic therapy.
Mastery of prāṇa is implicitly framed as self-discipline and purification: regulating the life-breath supports steadiness of body and mind, reducing suffering and enabling consistent performance of dharma and spiritual practice.