Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 11
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
दक्षिणेन समालभ्य पठन्नङ्गचतुष्टयम् पिधाय खानि सर्वाणि सम्मुखीकरणेन च
dakṣiṇena samālabhya paṭhannaṅgacatuṣṭayam pidhāya khāni sarvāṇi sammukhīkaraṇena ca
เมื่อใช้มือขวาสัมผัสแล้ว พึงสวดบทอังคจตุษฏยะ (สูตรสี่อวัยวะ) และด้วยพิธีสัมมุขีกรณะ พึงปิดช่องทวารแห่งอินทรีย์ทั้งปวง
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Perform aṅga-nyāsa (fourfold limb formula) with right-hand touch and execute sammukhīkaraṇa to ‘seal’ the senses/apertures for inward focus during worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṅga-catuṣṭaya-nyāsa and Sammukhīkaraṇa (closing the apertures)","lookup_keywords":["aṅga-catuṣṭaya","aṅga-nyāsa","sammukhīkaraṇa","kha-ni pidhāna","right-hand touch"],"quick_summary":"Touch with the right hand while reciting the fourfold limb formula, then perform sammukhīkaraṇa to close the sensory apertures, turning attention inward for mantra efficacy."}
Concept: Indriya-nigraha through ritual ‘sealing’ supports mantra-siddhi; bodily gestures and sound are coordinated as a single practice.
Application: Use a consistent nyāsa + sense-withdrawal step to reduce distraction before japa, dhyāna, or abhiṣeka.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa and Anga-nyasa procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner touches specific body points with the right hand while reciting a four-part formula, then performs a gesture of ‘bringing to the front’ and symbolically closes eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth to internalize awareness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up ritual figure performing aṅga-nyāsa with right hand, stylized mudrās, subtle depiction of sealed senses, warm earthy tones, temple interior backdrop with lamp and lotus motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, seated devotee before a small liṅga or śālagrāma, gold-highlighted hands in mudrā, ornate borders, emphasis on right-hand touch points and sacred geometry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic yet elegant: four limb points indicated, sequence arrows, practitioner in yogic seat, calm palette, didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor shrine scene, fine detail of hand gestures, attendants holding incense, quiet moment of sense-withdrawal, delicate linework"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पठन्नङ्गचतुष्टयम् = पठन् + अङ्गचतुष्टयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (nyāsa and mantra-prayoga sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a precise nyāsa step: touch with the right hand, recite the fourfold aṅga-mantras (aṅga-catuṣṭaya), and perform sammukhīkaraṇa to ‘close’ the sense-openings for focused mantra-practice.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves manual-like ritual technology—body-mantra mapping (nyāsa), gesture-based focusing (sammukhīkaraṇa), and sensory restraint—showing its breadth as a compendium of applied religious practice.
By restraining the sense-gates and centering attention, the practitioner reduces distraction and impurity, making japa and worship more inward, concentrated, and spiritually efficacious.