Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 29
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
अंशुमानुदकप्राणः सप्तमं वर्णमुद्धृतम् पद्ममिन्दुसमाक्रान्तं नन्दीशमेकपादधृक्
aṃśumānudakaprāṇaḥ saptamaṃ varṇamuddhṛtam padmamindusamākrāntaṃ nandīśamekapādadhṛk
Ang ikapitong titik ay dapat itaas (para sa nyāsa/pagninilay) bilang maningning, may tubig bilang diwa, at siya mismong hininga ng buhay—(iniisip) na isang lotus na nilulukuban ng buwan, at bilang Nandīśa, ang may iisang paa (anyo ng Ekāpāda).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic ritual-vidyā)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Varṇa-devatā dhyāna for nyāsa: installing the seventh syllable with specific elemental/psychic correspondences (water, prāṇa) and deity-form (Nandīśa/Ekāpāda).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Seventh varṇa-dhyāna: Aṃśumān–Udaka–Prāṇa; lotus with moon; Nandīśa Ekāpāda","lookup_keywords":["saptama varṇa","udaka-prāṇa","padma","indu","nandīśa ekāpāda"],"quick_summary":"The seventh letter is meditated upon as radiant and identical with water and life-breath, visualized through a moon-pervaded lotus and associated with Nandīśa in the Ekāpāda form for nyāsa."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Microcosm–macrocosm mapping: varṇa is not mere phoneme but a devatā-bearing power aligned with elements (udaka) and vital force (prāṇa).
Application: During nyāsa, synchronize breath (prāṇa) with visualization of cool lunar lotus (indu-padma) to steady mind and ‘seat’ the seventh varṇa without agitation.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya & Nyasa (Varna-devata / Dhyanas of syllables and deities)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous lotus on a calm water surface, suffused by a full moon; within/above it stands Nandīśa in Ekāpāda (single-foot) form, while a sādhaka performs nyāsa with breath-focused posture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large stylized lotus and moon disc, Nandīśa Ekāpāda with bold outlines and flat colors, sacred river-like water band, sādhaka at corner with nyāsa mudrā, ornate floral borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central moon-lotus with embossed gold moon halo, Ekāpāda Nandīśa adorned yet austere, gem highlights, deep blue water field, rich ornamental frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear depiction of Ekāpāda stance and attributes, soft gradients for moonlight, labeled elements ‘udaka’ and ‘prāṇa’ in small callouts, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, moonlit lotus pond scene, delicate rendering of water ripples, ascetic single-footed figure with subtle aura, sādhaka seated on a terrace, fine botanical detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aṃśumānudakaprāṇaḥ → aṃśumān + udaka-prāṇaḥ; varṇamuddhṛtam → varṇam + uddhṛtam; padmamindusamākrāntaṃ → padmam + indu-samākrāntam; nandīśamekapādadhṛk → nandīśam + eka-pāda-dhṛk
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (varṇa-devatā nyāsa sequence; earlier/later varṇas with corresponding dhyānas)
FAQs
It gives a nyāsa/dhyāna specification for the “seventh letter,” prescribing its ritual visualization with attributes (radiant, water-prāṇa) and associated deity-forms (lotus-moon imagery and Nandīśa/Ekāpāda).
Beyond myth, the text catalogues applied esoteric practice—linking phonetics (varṇa), iconography (lotus, moon), and Śaiva deity-forms (Nandīśa, Ekāpāda) into a usable ritual-technology for mantra practice.
Correct varṇa-dhyāna and nyāsa are taught as purifying and empowering: aligning breath (prāṇa), subtle elements (water), and deity-consciousness to stabilize mantra-siddhi and inner sanctification.