Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 39
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
पूरकं कुम्भकं कृत्वा व्यादाय वदनं मनाक् शनैर् उदीरयन् मूलं कृत्वा शिष्यात्मनो लयं
pūrakaṃ kumbhakaṃ kṛtvā vyādāya vadanaṃ manāk śanair udīrayan mūlaṃ kṛtvā śiṣyātmano layaṃ
เมื่อทำปูรกะและกุมภกะแล้ว แง้มปากเล็กน้อย และค่อย ๆ เปล่งลมหายใจออก. โดยตั้ง “มูละ” เป็นฐาน จงทำให้ภาวะอัตตาของศิษย์เกิดลยะ คือหลอมรวมเข้าสู่สมาธิที่มุ่งหมาย.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha; practical yoga instruction conveyed in the Purāṇic dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prāṇāyāma-guided mantra-sādhana: after pūraka and kumbhaka, exhale slowly with slight mouth opening; stabilize practice at the mūla (root) to induce laya/absorption in the practitioner (here framed as śiṣya).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūraka–kumbhaka–recaka with mūla-basis for laya in mantra-sādhana","lookup_keywords":["puraka","kumbhaka","recaka","mula","laya"],"quick_summary":"Perform inhalation and retention, then release the breath slowly with controlled mouth opening; anchor attention at the root (mūla) to lead the mind toward dissolution/absorption."}
Concept: Breath regulation is a direct lever for mental laya; ‘mūla’ functions as the stabilizing base (root-center/root-support) for dissolving individuated fluctuation.
Application: Use slow recaka after kumbhaka to lengthen attention-span; keep awareness rooted (mūla) to prevent dispersion and deepen absorption.
Khanda Section: Yoga-pranayama and Mantra-sadhana (Hatha/Raja-yoga practical instruction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher guiding a seated disciple in prāṇāyāma: inhale, hold, then slow exhale with slightly open mouth; a highlighted ‘mūla’ point at the base with a steady glow indicating the anchor for laya.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and śiṣya seated facing, stylized breath-stream shown as pale ribbon exiting gently, subtle glow at mūla region, calm temple interior with oil lamps, earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru instructing disciple, gold-leaf accents on breath-stream and mūla glow, ornate cushions, devotional yet technical posture depiction, rich textile patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise instructional panel: icons for pūraka, kumbhaka, slow recaka; disciple with slightly open mouth; clear emphasis on mūla anchor point, neat lines and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate studio scene: master demonstrating controlled exhalation, disciple mirroring, fine depiction of subtle breath as faint white line, annotated margins in calligraphy, delicate architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शनैर् → शनैः (visarga before vowel/consonant in recitation); शिष्यात्मनो → शिष्य-आत्मनः (genitive tatpuruṣa).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88.35 (pūraka–kumbhaka and mouth-opening cue); Agni Purana 88 (laya stages around nāda)
FAQs
It teaches a precise prāṇāyāma sequence—pūraka (inhalation), kumbhaka (retention), then slow exhalation with the mouth slightly opened—combined with a ‘mūla’ (root/base) focus to support meditative absorption (laya).
Beyond myth and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied yogic physiology—named breath-techniques and their meditative purpose—showing its wide scope as a compendium of practical disciplines (yoga/vidyā) alongside other sciences.
Regulated breath and root-based concentration are presented as a means to steady the mind and dissolve egoic individuality into contemplative absorption, supporting purification and inward liberation-oriented practice.