Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 15
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
शक्तिमुद्रा तु योन्याख्या चतुरस्रन्तु मण्डलं चतुरस्रं त्रिपत्राब्जं मध्यकोष्ठचतुष्टये
śaktimudrā tu yonyākhyā caturasrantu maṇḍalaṃ caturasraṃ tripatrābjaṃ madhyakoṣṭhacatuṣṭaye
Ang Śakti-mudrā ay tinatawag ding Yoni(-mudrā). Ang maṇḍala ay dapat na parisukat; (sa loob nito) gumuhit ng isa pang parisukat, at ilagay ang lotus na may tatlong talulot sa pangkat ng apat na gitnang bahagi.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Constructing a square maṇḍala with an inner square and a three-petalled lotus placed across the four central compartments; using Śakti/Yoni mudrā as part of yantra–mudrā coordination in worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śakti (Yoni) mudrā and square maṇḍala with tripatra-abja","lookup_keywords":["Śakti-mudrā","Yoni-mudrā","maṇḍala","caturasra","tripatra-abja"],"quick_summary":"Gives a named equivalence (Śakti-mudrā = Yoni-mudrā) and a precise geometric prescription for a ritual maṇḍala: square framework, inner square, and a three-petalled lotus positioned in the central four cells."}
Concept: Śakti is approached through symbol (yoni/lotus) and geometry (maṇḍala); form is a vehicle for focusing consciousness and invoking presence.
Application: When drawing yantra/maṇḍala, follow exact geometry and coordinate it with the corresponding mudrā to maintain ritual integrity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra (Yantra–Mudra–Mandala Lakshana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram is being drawn: an outer square, an inner square, and in the central four compartments a three-petalled lotus; beside it, the practitioner forms Śakti/Yoni mudrā with the hands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down view of a caturasra maṇḍala on the floor with white/red powders, tripatra lotus in the center, priest forming yoni-mudrā, oil lamps around, stylized geometric borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly ornamented yantra panel with gold accents outlining the square and lotus, central tripatra-abja highlighted, devotee hands in Śakti-mudrā, decorative floral motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: clean geometric lines, labeled compartments, step-by-step depiction of drawing the square and lotus, hands demonstrating yoni-mudrā in an inset.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous geometry on a parchment-like floor, artisan-priest drawing the maṇḍala with a stylus, pigments and bowls nearby, inset showing the yoni-mudrā, fine border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: योन्याख्या = योनि + आख्या। चतुरस्रन्तु = चतुरस्रम् + तु। त्रिपत्राब्जं = त्रिपत्र + अब्जम्। मध्यकोष्ठचतुष्टये = मध्यकोष्ठ + चतुष्टये।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (yantra–mudrā–maṇḍala lakṣaṇa sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a precise tantric-ritual specification: identifying Śakti-mudrā as Yoni-mudrā and prescribing the geometry of the maṇḍala—an outer square, an inner square, and a three-petalled lotus positioned within the four central cells.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—mudrā nomenclature and mandala/yantra layout—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgy, sacred diagramming, and tantric procedural details.
Correct mudrā and correctly proportioned mandala are treated as prerequisites for effective worship and mantra-sādhana; accuracy is understood to support purity of rite, focused intention, and the intended spiritual result of the practice.