Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 12
अध्याय ७३: सूर्यपूजाविधिः
Sūrya-pūjā-vidhi — The Procedure for Sun-Worship
वः अस्त्रायेति पूर्वादौ ततो मुद्राः प्रदर्शयेत् धेनुमुद्रा हृदादीनां गोविषाणा च नेत्रयोः
vaḥ astrāyeti pūrvādau tato mudrāḥ pradarśayet dhenumudrā hṛdādīnāṃ goviṣāṇā ca netrayoḥ
เริ่มจากทิศตะวันออก พึงทำเนียสด้วยวาจา “วะห์ อัสตรายะ”; แล้วจึงแสดงมุทราต่าง ๆ. ธेनุมุทราใช้ที่หฤทัยและตำแหน่งสำคัญอื่น ๆ ส่วนโควีษาณามุทราใช้ที่ดวงตาทั้งสอง।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Astra-mantra application for directional protection followed by mudrā deployment (Dhenumudrā for vital centers; Govīṣāṇā for eyes) to seal the rite and guard perception.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra Nyāsa from East and Dhenumudrā–Govīṣāṇā Mudrā Applications","lookup_keywords":["astrāya vaḥ","dhenumudrā","govīṣāṇā-mudrā","dik-rakṣā","netra-rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"Begin protection with the astra formula from the eastern direction, then apply Dhenumudrā to heart and other placements and Govīṣāṇā-mudrā specifically to protect/empower the eyes."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric weapon as protective discharge)
Concept: Protection of prāṇa-centers and indriyas through mantra-mudrā synergy; eyes (netra) are specially sealed as gateways of cognition.
Application: Use before deity-darśana, japa, or homa to stabilize senses and maintain ritual purity and focus.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa and Mudra-prayoga in worship/ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist facing east, making a sweeping protective gesture with the astra mantra, then forming Dhenumudrā at the chest and Govīṣāṇā-mudrā near the eyes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dynamic sweep from east with stylized wind/flame lines labeled 'astrāya', then calm close-up of hands in dhenumudrā at heart and govīṣāṇā at eyes; rich reds, greens, and lotus borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted directional halo from the east, central priest with ornate jewelry, hands posed in two distinct mudrās; embossed eye motifs and protective weapon emblems.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: step-by-step instructional composition, east arrow prominent, panel 1 astra sweep, panel 2 dhenumudrā at hṛdaya and other points, panel 3 govīṣāṇā at netra; clean labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: precise hand anatomy, the officiant’s gesture tracing an arc from the east, then close attention to fingers forming mudrās; delicate calligraphy of 'vaḥ astrāya'."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अस्त्रायेति = अस्त्राय + इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 73 (astra-nyāsa; mudrā-prayoga; netra/kavaca sequences)
FAQs
It teaches a sequence used in pūjā/nyāsa: invoke the Astra-mantra for directional protection (starting from the east), then apply specific mudrās—Dhenumudrā for heart and related nyāsa points, and Govīṣāṇā-mudrā specifically to seal/protect the eyes.
Beyond mythology, it preserves precise, practice-oriented ritual technology—directional deployment of mantras, mudrā taxonomy, and body-based consecration (nyāsa)—showing the Agni Purana as a manual of applied liturgy alongside its other subjects.
The Astra-mantra and mudrā applications function as ritual purification and protection, symbolically sealing the senses (especially sight) and stabilizing the worshipper’s body as a fit vessel for devotion, reducing obstacles (vighna) and enhancing ritual efficacy.