Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 8
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
वाह्येन वायुना देहं दृतिवत् पूरयेद्यथा तथा पुर्णश् च सन्तिष्ठेत् पूरणात् पूरकः स्मृतः
vāhyena vāyunā dehaṃ dṛtivat pūrayedyathā tathā purṇaś ca santiṣṭhet pūraṇāt pūrakaḥ smṛtaḥ
துருத்தி (bellows) போல வெளிப்புற மூச்சால் உடலை நிரப்ப வேண்டும்; நிரம்பிய பின் நிலையாக இருக்க வேண்டும்; இது ‘பூரணம்’ (நிரப்புதல்) ஆகையால் ‘பூரகம்’ எனப்படுகிறது।
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Technique of pūraka: inhale external air to fill the body ‘like a bellows’, then remain steady at fullness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pūraka—bellows-like filling inhalation","lookup_keywords":["pūraka","inhalation","dṛti-vat","vāhya-vāyu","stambha"],"quick_summary":"Pūraka is the controlled filling inhalation, likened to inflating a bellows; after full inhalation one maintains steadiness before transitioning."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Measured intake (pūraṇa) followed by steadiness trains prāṇa and mind toward controlled abiding.
Application: Use the bellows analogy to ensure even expansion (chest/abdomen) and to prevent uneven, jerky inhalation.
Khanda Section: Yoga-Prāṇāyāma (Haṭha/Ādhyātmika-Vidya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin inhaling deeply and evenly, torso subtly expanding, with a symbolic bellows nearby or implied, then holding a steady poised stillness at full breath.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogin seated with expanded chest, stylized bellows motif beside, flowing breath lines entering, warm ochres and greens, serene temple ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yogin with gold-highlighted breath aura, bellows symbol rendered ornamentally, rich colors, gold leaf borders emphasizing ‘fullness’","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of inhalation expansion (abdomen/chest), gentle shading, optional small bellows diagram element, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined depiction of subtle torso expansion, a craftsman’s bellows as metaphorical prop in the corner, delicate interior scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूरयेत्+यथा → पूरयेद्यथा; पूर्णः+च → पुर्णश् च (विसर्ग-सन्धि);
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372.7 (recaka); Agni Purana 372.9 (kumbhaka)
FAQs
It defines Pūraka in prāṇāyāma: controlled inhalation that ‘fills’ the body with external air, followed by steadiness (preparatory stabilization before the next phase).
Alongside ritual, polity, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also codifies practical yoga-physiology—here giving a technical definition of a core breath practice (pūraka) using a precise operational analogy (bellows).
Disciplined inhalation and steadiness support prāṇa-regulation and mind-stability, traditionally understood to aid purification and concentration for meditation and higher yogic practice.