Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 23
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
विन्यस्य शिवमन्त्रेण भास्वरं निजमस्तके शिवादभिन्नमात्मानं कर्तारं भावयेद्यथा
vinyasya śivamantreṇa bhāsvaraṃ nijamastake śivādabhinnamātmānaṃ kartāraṃ bhāvayedyathā
เมื่อทำนยาสะด้วยมนต์พระศิวะบนกระหม่อมของตนแล้ว พึงภาวนาตนว่าเป็นผู้รุ่งเรือง เป็นผู้กระทำ และเป็นอาตมันที่ไม่ต่างจากพระศิวะ ตามนัยนั้น।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as the standard Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra-nyāsa and bhāvanā to internalize Śiva-tattva, establishing non-dual identity (śivābhinnatā) before pūjā/japa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiva-mantra Nyāsa on the Head and Śivābhinnātmabhāvanā","lookup_keywords":["nyāsa","śiva-mantra","bhāvanā","śivābhinnatā","kartṛtva"],"quick_summary":"Perform head-nyāsa with the Śiva-mantra, then contemplate oneself as radiant and non-different from Śiva, affirming empowered agency grounded in Śiva-consciousness."}
Concept: Śivābhinnatā (non-difference of jīva and Śiva) cultivated through nyāsa and bhāvanā; purified kartṛtva as Śiva’s agency.
Application: Use as a pre-ritual internal alignment: after nyāsa, hold the conviction of identity with Śiva during pūjā, japa, and homa to prevent ritual from remaining merely external.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shaiva-upasana (Mantra-nyasa and Bhavana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in meditation after touching the crown of the head in nyāsa, visualizing a radiant Śiva-light within and affirming identity with Śiva.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, seated yogin performing śiro-nyāsa, luminous white-gold aura, subtle Śiva-linga radiance in the crown, minimal background, traditional flat colors and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central meditating sādhaka with ornate halo, gold leaf highlighting the crown and aura, small Śiva emblem above head, rich reds and greens, temple interior motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of nyāsa gesture at the head, fine linework, soft shading, labeled mudrā-like hand position, calm sanctum setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a quiet pavilion touching the crown, delicate floral border, subtle radiance rendered with fine stippling, contemplative atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिवमन्त्रेण = शिव + मन्त्रेण; निजमस्तके = निज + मस्तके; शिवादभिन्नम् = शिवात् + अभिन्नम्; अभिन्नमात्मानम् = अभिन्नम् + आत्मानम्; भावयेद्यथा = भावयेत् + यथा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (Śaiva-upāsanā, nyāsa-bhāvanā sequence)
FAQs
It teaches Śiva-mantra nyāsa specifically on the head (mastaka) followed by bhāvanā—visualizing oneself as luminous and non-different from Śiva.
It preserves a precise ritual-technical instruction (nyāsa) alongside an inner contemplative method (bhāvanā/identity with Śiva), showing how the text integrates external worship procedures with yogic-theological doctrine.
By combining mantra-nyāsa with non-dual Śiva-bhāvanā, the practitioner internalizes the deity, purifies worship through right identification, and aims at steadiness of mind and liberation-oriented devotion.