Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
कुम्भकेन समादाय रेचकेनोद्भवाख्यया हृत्सम्पुटनमो ऽन्तेन वह्निं कुण्डे निवेशयेत्
kumbhakena samādāya recakenodbhavākhyayā hṛtsampuṭanamo 'ntena vahniṃ kuṇḍe niveśayet
เมื่อรวบรวมไฟศักดิ์สิทธิ์ด้วยกุมภกะ (กลั้นลม) แล้วด้วยเรจกะที่เรียกว่า “อุทภวา” (การผ่อนลมออก)—พร้อมการปิดหฤท-สัมปุฏและคำลงท้าย “นะมะห์”—พึงอัญเชิญไฟเข้าสถิตในกุณฑะ (หลุมไฟพิธี).
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prāṇāyāma-assisted agni-pratiṣṭhā/homa: collect/contain the energized fire with kumbhaka, then ‘release/manifest’ it through a controlled exhalation (udbhavā) with hṛt-sampuṭa and namaḥ to install it into the kuṇḍa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Agni-niveśana in kuṇḍa using kumbhaka, udbhavā-rechaka, hṛt-sampuṭa and namaḥ","lookup_keywords":["kumbhaka","rechaka-udbhavā","hṛt-sampuṭa","namaḥ","agni-niveśana"],"quick_summary":"Details a breath-and-mantra method for installing ritual fire: retain to gather, exhale as udbhavā while sealing at the heart and concluding with namaḥ, then place the fire into the pit."}
Concept: Prāṇa and agni are ritually unified: breath-retention gathers śakti; exhalation manifests/places it—outer fire mirrors inner fire disciplined by yoga.
Application: During homa preliminaries, synchronize kumbhaka and rechaka with mantra endings (namaḥ) and heart-sealing to stabilize attention and ‘seat’ the fire without haste.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agni-vidhi (Pranayama-assisted homa and fire-installation procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist before a fire-pit performs kumbhaka with steady posture, then exhales (udbhavā) while sealing at the heart and uttering namaḥ; a stream of subtle fire-energy flows from the heart/breath into the kuṇḍa where flames arise.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest near a square kuṇḍa, stylized breath shown as flowing ribbon carrying sparks into the pit, heart-lotus motif on chest, flat decorative temple setting, warm reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, glowing kuṇḍa with embossed gold flames, priest with gold aura, visible heart-lotus and gold line of energy into the pit, ornate altar objects, rich jewel tones and heavy gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional scene: posture for kumbhaka, then rechaka labeled udbhavā, heart-sealing gesture, kuṇḍa geometry emphasized, fine outlines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña scene in a courtyard, delicate smoke and flame rendering, the exhalation depicted subtly as a pale stream, calligraphic ‘namaḥ’ near the mouth, intricate ritual vessels"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रेचकेनोद्भवाख्यया = रेचकेन + उद्भवाख्यया; नमो ऽन्तेन = नमः + अन्तेन; हृत्सम्पुटनमोऽन्तेन = हृत् + सम्पुट + नमः + अन्तेन (समास/पदसन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88 (agni-vidhi/pūjā-vidhi: prāṇāyāma-linked homa steps; kuṇḍa procedures; mantra endings)
FAQs
It teaches a precise homa-technique: using kumbhaka (breath retention) to ‘gather’ the inner fire/energy, then recaka (exhalation) termed udbhavā, along with a heart-sealing act (hṛt-sampuṭana) and a concluding “namaḥ”, to ritually install Agni into the kunda.
It preserves technical ritual mechanics—linking pranayama, mantra-ending conventions (namaḥ), and fire-altar procedure—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond mythology into applied liturgy and yogic-ritual integration.
By synchronizing breath, mantra, and intention, the practitioner is taught to consecrate the external fire as a purified extension of inner discipline, supporting ritual efficacy (siddhi) and purification (śuddhi) through correctly established Agni.