Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 5
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
उरुभ्यामुपरिस्थाप्य वाहू तिर्यक् प्रयत्नतः दक्षिणं करपृष्ठञ्च न्यसेद्धामतलोपरि
urubhyāmuparisthāpya vāhū tiryak prayatnataḥ dakṣiṇaṃ karapṛṣṭhañca nyaseddhāmatalopari
தொடைகளின் மீது இரு முன்கைகளையும் வைத்து, முயற்சியுடன் கைகளை குறுக்காக (கிராஸ்) அமைத்து; வலக்கையின் பின்புறத்தை இடக்கையின் உள்ளங்கையில் வைக்க வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic topics, here yogic technique)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Adoption of a specific seated hand/arm placement (mudrā-like arrangement) to stabilize posture and prepare for prāṇāyāma and dhyāna.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Āsana-hasta-vinyāsa for prāṇāyāma (crosswise forearms; right hand-back on left palm)","lookup_keywords":["āsana","hasta-vinyāsa","mudrā","prāṇāyāma-prep","sthiratā"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes a precise arm and hand placement to create bodily steadiness and a controlled base for breath regulation practices."}
Concept: Śarīra-sthairya as the gateway to prāṇa-nirodha and citta-ekāgratā.
Application: Use the prescribed limb placement to reduce fidgeting, align shoulders/torso, and support longer, smoother breath cycles.
Khanda Section: Yoga / Hatha-yoga (Āsana–Mudrā–Prāṇāyāma practical instructions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated steadily, forearms resting on thighs, arms held crosswise; the back of the right hand placed upon the left palm, indicating a preparatory mudrā for breath practice.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, seated yogin in simple cloth, warm earthy palette, clear hand placement (right hand-back on left palm), calm face, minimal background with stylized lotus base, traditional linework","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated yogin on lotus pedestal, rich reds and greens, subtle gold leaf highlights around halo and borders, hands clearly arranged as instructed, devotional stillness","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional composition with clean contours, soft shading, labeled hand placement emphasis, yogin seated in stable posture, uncluttered background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing of fingers and wrists, yogin seated on a mat with crosswise forearms, delicate textile patterns, subdued landscape margin, precise anatomical rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उरुभ्याम्+उपरि+स्थाप्य → उरुभ्यामुपरिस्थाप्य; करपृष्ठम्+च → करपृष्ठञ्च; न्यसेत्+हामतल+उपरि → न्यसेद्धामतलोपरि (त्/द् संधि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372 (Yoga: āsana–mudrā–prāṇāyāma sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a specific yogic hand-and-arm placement used for steadiness in seated practice—forearms placed on the thighs, arms held crosswise, and the right hand’s back placed onto the left palm.
Alongside theology and rites, the Agni Purana preserves practical embodied techniques (āsana/mudrā-like instructions), showing it functions as a compendium that includes applied yoga and discipline of posture.
Such controlled posture supports mental steadiness and breath-regulation, aiding concentration in japa/dhyāna and thereby enhancing the efficacy of spiritual practice and purification.