Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 14
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
आत्मानं योजयित्वोर्ध्वं शिखान्ते द्वादशाङ्गुले संशोष्य दग्ध्वा स्वतनुं प्लावयेदमृतेन च
ātmānaṃ yojayitvordhvaṃ śikhānte dvādaśāṅgule saṃśoṣya dagdhvā svatanuṃ plāvayedamṛtena ca
Matapos iangat ang sarili at ituon ito sa dulo ng śikhā (tuktok na buhol ng buhok), labindalawang lapad ng daliri sa itaas, dapat patuyuin at wari’y sunugin ang sariling katawan; at saka ito’y punuin at bahain ng amṛta, ang banal na nektar.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Subtle-body practice: raise awareness/prāṇa upward to the śikhā-end point (dvādaśāṅgula above), perform inner ‘drying/burning’ (tapas-like internal purification), then ‘flood’ with amṛta—an amṛta-dhāra visualization associated with bindu/nectar preservation and rejuvenative stabilization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ūrdhva-yoga: śikhā-sthāna fixation and amṛta-plāvana","lookup_keywords":["śikhānta","dvādaśāṅgula","śoṣaṇa-dāha","amṛta-dhāra","ūrdhva-yoga"],"quick_summary":"Lift and fix consciousness above the crown region, perform an inner purification imagined as drying and burning impurities, then restore and stabilize by visualizing a descent/flooding of nectar (amṛta)."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Transformation of embodied experience through subtle ascent (ūrdhva-yoga) and the polarity of tapas (dāha) and grace/nectar (amṛta).
Application: In advanced practice under guidance: pair intense internal cleansing techniques with restorative, cooling integration to prevent imbalance and to stabilize attention.
Khanda Section: Yoga & Tantra (Pranayama–Dharana–Kundalini/Amrita-dharana practices)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in deep meditation, subtle energy rising to a point above the crown (twelve aṅgulas), inner flames purifying the body, then a cool stream of nectar descending and filling the body with luminous calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, meditating yogin with stylized aura, flame motif within torso, a white-blue nectar stream from above crown, lotus and sacred geometry background, restrained yet powerful mystic symbolism.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yogin with radiant gold halo, gold-leaf accents for amṛta droplets, inner fire rendered as red-gold, cool nectar as pearl-white, ornate arch framing a transcendental scene.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise yogic diagram aesthetic: yogin in padmāsana, crown-point marked, flame-to-nectar sequence shown clearly, soft gradients and fine detailing for subtle channels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, contemplative yogin in a quiet pavilion, delicate depiction of luminous vapor rising above the head, then a fine silver stream descending, minimalistic mystical effect with refined linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: योजयित्वोर्ध्वं = योजयित्वा + ऊर्ध्वम्; प्लावयेदमृतेन = प्लावयेत् + अमृतेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (prāṇāyāma and higher yogic steps)
FAQs
It teaches a yogic dhāraṇā: raising awareness upward to the śikhā/crown region (measured as twelve aṅgulas above), applying inner “drying/burning” (tapas/inner heat) and then cooling/revitalizing by visualizing an inward flooding with amṛta (nectar).
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves technical yoga-tantra methods—precise spatial measures (aṅgula), subtle-body loci (śikhā/crown), and psycho-physiological processes (heating, desiccation, nectar-cooling)—showing its wide coverage of practical spiritual sciences.
The sequence symbolizes purification and transformation: burning away impurities through inner fire (tapas) and restoring purity and vitality through amṛta, aiming at heightened clarity, inner cleansing, and progress toward liberation-oriented yogic attainment.