Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 17
Chapter 340 — नृत्यादावङ्गकर्मनिरूपणम्
Explanation of Bodily Actions in Dance and Performance
असंयुतकराः प्रोक्ताः संयुतास्तु त्रयोदश अञ्जलिश् च कपोतश् च कर्कटः स्वस्तिकस् तथा
asaṃyutakarāḥ proktāḥ saṃyutāstu trayodaśa añjaliś ca kapotaś ca karkaṭaḥ svastikas tathā
Nabanggit na ang mga kumpas ng iisang kamay (asaṃyuta-hasta); ang mga kumpas na magkadugtong ang dalawang kamay (saṃyuta-hasta) ay labintatlo ang bilang—kabilang ang Añjali, Kapota, Karkaṭa, at gayundin ang Svastika.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Natya","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Correct performance of saṃyuta-hastas in pūjā and ritualized gesture (also applicable to dance/drama pedagogy and iconographic depiction of worship).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Saṃyuta-hasta-saṅkhyā and initial set: Añjali, Kapota, Karkaṭa, Svastika","lookup_keywords":["saṃyuta-hasta","añjali","kapota","karkaṭa","svastika","mudrā"],"quick_summary":"States that joined-hand gestures are thirteen and begins listing them; provides a standardized mudrā vocabulary for worship and performative traditions."}
Concept: Body as instrument of worship: gesture (mudrā) aligns intention, attention, and offering.
Application: Use correct saṃyuta-hastas during pūjā, japa, ārati, and vrata observances; in nāṭya, maintain codified hand positions for meaning.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Hasta-mudra-lakshana (Ritual hand-gestures and worship procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner demonstrates four joined-hand mudrās in sequence—Añjali, Kapota, Karkaṭa, Svastika—before a small altar with lamp and flowers; a teacher points out finger placements.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple interior, devotee before lamp, four-panel depiction of mudrās with clear silhouettes, bold outlines, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central deity with devotee in añjali, gold-leaf halo and lamp flames, side vignettes showing kapota/karkaṭa/svastika hand positions.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart of mudrās with fine linework and labels, soft background wash, emphasis on finger interlocks and crossings.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly devotional scene with a guru teaching mudrās, detailed textiles, small altar, marginal captions naming each gesture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संयुतास्तु→संयुताः तु; अञ्जलिश्→अञ्जलिः; कपोतश्→कपोतः; स्वस्तिकस्→स्वस्तिकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 340 (pūjā-vidhi and mudrā sections)
FAQs
It classifies ritual hand-gestures into single-hand (asaṃyuta) and joined-hand (saṃyuta) types, stating that the joined-hand mudrās are thirteen and naming examples like Añjali, Kapota, Karkaṭa, and Svastika used in pūjā.
By cataloging precise liturgical and iconographic technique (mudrā taxonomy) alongside other subjects, it shows the Agni Purāṇa’s practical, manual-like coverage of temple ritual procedure (pūjā-vidhi) in addition to theology and myth.
Correct mudrā usage is treated as part of proper worship protocol—supporting reverence, focus, and ritual correctness—thereby helping ensure the intended merit (puṇya) and efficacy of devotional acts.