Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 2
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चेलाजिनकुशोत्तरं तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यातचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः
nātyucchritaṃ nātinīcaṃ celājinakuśottaraṃ tatraikāgraṃ manaḥ kṛtvā yātacittendriyakriyaḥ
ஆசனம் மிக உயரமாகவும் மிகத் தாழ்வாகவும் இருக்கக் கூடாது; அதன் மேல் துணி, மான் தோல், குசப் புல் ஆகியவை விரிக்கப்பட்டிருக்க வேண்டும். அங்கே மனத்தை ஒருமுகப்படுத்தி, சித்தமும் இந்திரியச் செயல்களும் அடக்கப்பட வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Yoga-vidya","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Correct preparation of the meditation seat (neither high nor low; cloth–deerskin–kuśa layers) and mental one-pointedness leading to restraint of mind and senses.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Āsana-vedikā: proper seat height and kuśa–ajina–vastra layering","lookup_keywords":["na atyucchrita","na atinīca","ajina","kuśa","ekāgratā"],"quick_summary":"Use a seat of moderate height with cloth, deerskin, and kuśa-grass; then establish ekāgratā and restrain mental and sensory activity. The verse links physical setup to pratyāhāra readiness."}
Concept: Bāhya-sādhana (proper seat) supports antaḥkaraṇa-ekāgratā and indriya-nigraha.
Application: Avoid very soft/high seats that induce sleep and very low/hard seats that cause pain; prepare a stable mat; begin with a brief settling of attention before deeper practices.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana & Asana instructions)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner arranges a meditation seat: kuśa grass, deerskin, and cloth layered on a moderate platform; then sits with focused gaze and withdrawn senses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up of layered āsana materials (kuśa, ajina, cloth) on a low platform, yogin seated calmly, stylized foliage background, earthy tones, emphasis on ritual purity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate border with gold, central seat showing distinct layers, yogin in simple attire, lamp and water pot nearby, gold accents on halo and seat edges, devotional-instructional blend","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: platform height moderate, visible kuśa blades, deerskin texture, cloth on top; yogin’s face serene, minimal background for focus","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed textures of grass, hide, and cloth; yogin seated in quiet chamber; attendants absent; composition emphasizes orderliness and restraint"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nātyucchritaṃ = na + ati-ucchritam; nātinīcaṃ = na + ati-nīcam; tatraikāgraṃ = tatra + eka-agram; celājinakuśottaraṃ resolved as cela-ajina-kuśa-uttaram; yātacittendriyakriyaḥ as bahuvrīhi compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372.1 (clean place and steady seat); Agni Purana 372.3–4 (alignment, gaze, bodily locks)
FAQs
It gives the practical dhyāna-yoga setup: prepare a proper āsana (seat) with cloth–deerskin–kuśa layers, neither too high nor too low, then cultivate one-pointed concentration and restrain sense-activity.
Alongside its many subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves applied yoga and ritual-technology—here, precise specifications for a meditation seat and mental discipline—showing its coverage of sādhanā methods in addition to theology and rites.
A correctly prepared seat and restrained senses stabilize the mind, reduce distraction, and make meditation effective—supporting purification (śuddhi) and steady contemplative practice leading toward higher realization.