Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 14
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
व्यक्ताव्यक्ताथवा कार्या पद्ममुद्रा स्मृतासने तिङ्गमुद्रा शिवस्योक्ता मुदा चावाहनी द्वयोः
vyaktāvyaktāthavā kāryā padmamudrā smṛtāsane tiṅgamudrā śivasyoktā mudā cāvāhanī dvayoḥ
Habang nakaupo sa itinakdang āsana, isagawa ang Padma-mudrā—maging para sa hayag (vyakta) o di-hayag (avyakta) na anyo ng diyos. Ang Tiṅga-mudrā ay itinuturo na para kay Śiva; at ang Āvāhanī-mudrā (mudrā ng pag-anyaya) ay isasagawa para sa kapwa (dalawa).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Performing specific mudrās (Padma, Tiṅga, Āvāhanī) correctly during worship for manifest/unmanifest deity-forms and for Śiva and paired worship contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Padma-mudrā, Tiṅga-mudrā, and Āvāhanī-mudrā in pūjā","lookup_keywords":["Padma-mudrā","Āvāhanī-mudrā","Tiṅga-mudrā","Śiva","vyakta-avyakta"],"quick_summary":"Defines which mudrā is used for which ritual purpose: Padma for vyakta/avyakta worship while seated, Tiṅga as Śiva’s mudrā, and Āvāhanī for invocation in dual contexts."}
Concept: Worship accommodates both form (vyakta) and formless (avyakta) approaches; gesture (mudrā) is a functional ‘language’ of ritual intention.
Application: Choose mudrā according to deity-context (Śiva-specific vs general invocation) and maintain prescribed āsana for steadiness and correctness.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Tantra-mudrā (Ritual procedure and hand-gestures used in worship)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper seated in prescribed āsana demonstrates three distinct hand-gestures: Padma-mudrā, Tiṅga-mudrā associated with Śiva, and Āvāhanī-mudrā used to invite the deity/pair into the ritual space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated sādhaka before a Śiva liṅga and a paired altar setup, hands shown in three panels demonstrating Padma, Tiṅga, and Āvāhanī mudrās, stylized lotus motifs, temple lamp glow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central Śiva icon with gold halo, foreground devotee seated cross-legged, hands in Tiṅga-mudrā, side vignettes showing Padma and Āvāhanī mudrās, ornate frame and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout with clear hand positions, labeled mudrās, calm palette, minimal background, emphasis on finger placement and seated posture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly atelier-like precision, a yogin seated on a carpet demonstrating mudrās, a small Śiva shrine and paired ritual objects nearby, fine borders and calligraphic labels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्यक्ताव्यक्ताथवा = व्यक्ता + अव्यक्ता + अथवा। स्मृतासने = स्मृता + आसने। शिवस्योक्ता = शिवस्य + उक्ता। मुदा चावाहनी = मुदा + च + आवाहनी।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (mudrā and pūjā-krama cluster)
FAQs
It prescribes specific worship mudrās: Padma-mudrā to be performed in the proper āsana for either a manifest or unmanifest deity, identifies a distinct Śaiva mudrā (Tiṅga-mudrā), and specifies the Āvāhanī-mudrā as the invocation gesture to be used for both objects/deities being invoked.
Beyond myth and theology, it documents precise ritual technology—named mudrās, their ritual contexts (āsana, āvāhana), and sect-specific application (Śaiva usage)—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical liturgy and tantric-pūjā procedure.
Correct mudrā and invocation are presented as means to properly invite and stabilize the deity’s presence in worship, supporting ritual purity, focused devotion, and the intended fruit (phala) of the rite by aligning gesture, posture, and contemplation.