Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 5
Explanation of the Characteristics of Mudrās (मुद्रालक्षणकथनं)
ऊर्ध्वं कृत्वा सम्मुखञ्च वीजाय नवमाय वै वामहस्तमथोत्तानं कृत्वार्धं नामयेच्छनैः
ūrdhvaṃ kṛtvā sammukhañca vījāya navamāya vai vāmahastamathottānaṃ kṛtvārdhaṃ nāmayecchanaiḥ
దానిని పైకి ఎత్తి ముందుకు తిప్పి, తొమ్మిదవ ‘వీజాయన’ (వీచే ముద్ర) చేయాలి. తరువాత ఎడమ చేతిని ఉత్తానంగా (అరచేతి పైకి) చేసి, నెమ్మదిగా అర్ధం వరకు వంచాలి.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Execution of a specific ninth gesture (often treated as a bīja/mudrā step) and controlled left-hand positioning during pūjā upacāra and nyāsa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Navama-vīja/mudrā gesture: upward-facing and half-bending of left palm","lookup_keywords":["navama","mudrā","uttāna-hasta","pūjā-vidhi","gesture sequence"],"quick_summary":"Gives the hand orientation and motion: raise and face forward for the ninth gesture, then turn the left palm upward and bend it slowly halfway—emphasizing controlled, deliberate movement."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct orientation (sammukha/ūrdhva/uttāna) and tempo (śanaiḥ) of gesture, not merely recitation.
Application: In pūjā, synchronize mantra count with the slow half-bend of the left palm to maintain steadiness and avoid haste (doṣa) in kriyā.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedure, gestures and upacara-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest performs a forward-facing raised-hand gesture, then displays the left palm turned upward, slowly bending it halfway; ritual items (flowers, water vessel) nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest before a lamp and lotus-maṇḍala, hands emphasized: one raised forward, left palm up half-bent, deep reds and ochres, sacred aura lines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly ornamented hands, gold leaf on bangles and haloed lamp, clear depiction of palm-up left hand half-bent, temple arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic depiction of two-step gesture with arrows indicating motion, labeled 'ūrdhva' and 'uttāna', soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision: priest seated, assistant holding pūjā tray, delicate rendering of palm orientation and slow bend, marginal notes in script."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Raga Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सम्मुखञ्च = सम्मुखम् + च; वामहस्तमथोत्तानं = वामहस्तम् + अथ + उत्तानम्; कृत्वार्धं = कृत्वा + अर्धम्; नामयेच्छनैः = नामयेत् + शनैः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 26 (mudrā sequence around the ninth step)
FAQs
It teaches a specific, sequenced ritual hand-action: the “ninth” vījana (fanning) gesture, followed by positioning the left hand palm-up and bending it halfway in a controlled manner—part of precise pūjā/hasta-prayoga.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical liturgical technique—step-by-step worship mechanics (gesture choreography and sequencing), showing the Purana’s function as a procedural manual for ritual performance.
Performing prescribed gestures correctly is traditionally held to ensure ritual completeness (saṃpūrṇatā), proper offering of upacāras, and focused devotion—supporting purity of action and intended merit (puṇya) through disciplined worship.