Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 1
Explanation of the Characteristics of Mudrās (मुद्रालक्षणकथनं)
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये मन्त्रप्रदर्शनं नाम पञ्चविंशो ऽध्यायः अथ षड्विंशो ऽध्यायः मुद्रालक्षणकथनं नारद उवाच मुद्राणां लक्षणं वक्ष्ये सान्निध्यादिप्रकारकं अञ्जलिः प्रथमा मुद्रा वन्दनी हृदयानुगा
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye mantrapradarśanaṃ nāma pañcaviṃśo 'dhyāyaḥ atha ṣaḍviṃśo 'dhyāyaḥ mudrālakṣaṇakathanaṃ nārada uvāca mudrāṇāṃ lakṣaṇaṃ vakṣye sānnidhyādiprakārakaṃ añjaliḥ prathamā mudrā vandanī hṛdayānugā
یوں آدی مہاپُران، اگنی پُران میں ‘منتر پرَدَرشَن’ نامی پچیسواں باب ختم ہوا۔ اب چھبیسواں باب ‘مدراؤں کی علامات کا بیان’ شروع ہوتا ہے۔ نارَد نے کہا: میں مدراؤں کی نشانیاں بیان کروں گا جو سَانِّڌْی وغیرہ کے اثرات پیدا کرتی ہیں۔ پہلی مدرا ‘اَنجلی’ ہے—یہ تعظیمی سلام کی مدرا ہے، جو دل کے مطابق (دل کے پاس) کی جاتی ہے۔
Nārada
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual-technology primer: defines mudrās as operative gestures producing ‘sānnidhya’ (invoked presence) and related effects; teaches Añjali mudrā as the foundational salutation gesture aligned to the heart in pūjā and japa contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mudrā-lakṣaṇa and Añjali mudrā (vandanī, hṛdayānugā)","lookup_keywords":["mudrā-lakṣaṇa","sānnidhya","Añjali","vandanā","hṛdaya"],"quick_summary":"Mudrās are defined as gestures that generate ritual presence and efficacy. The first is Añjali—palms joined—used for reverent salutation and performed at/with the heart-center."}
Concept: Embodied ritual action (mudrā) is a valid instrument for invoking presence (sānnidhya) and focusing devotion through the heart-center.
Application: In daily worship, begin with Añjali at the heart to establish reverence and attentional alignment before mantra-japa or offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra (Mudrā-vidhi and Mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Nārada instructs on mudrās; a practitioner demonstrates Añjali with palms joined at the heart, facing a shrine; the gesture is highlighted as the first and foundational mudrā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Nārada with vīṇā teaching beside a shrine, devotee in Añjali at heart level, clear hand gesture emphasis, warm ochres and reds, bold contours, temple interior ambiance","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central devotee in Añjali before a small sanctum, gold foil highlights on haloed Nārada and deity, ornate pillars, rich decorative borders, emphasis on joined palms at chest","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: close-up of hands in Añjali at hṛdaya position, Nārada pointing, minimal background, fine lines and soft colors for clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, sage instructing a student in a pavilion, student performing Añjali, delicate rendering of fingers and posture, manuscript-like margins, subdued palette with fine detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: This item contains colophon-like headings; analysis focuses on the spoken verse portion: nārada uvāca ... añjaliḥ prathamā mudrā vandanī hṛdayānugā. Sandhi: ity → iti (heading); hṛdayānugā = hṛdaya + anugā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25 (mantra-pradarśana immediately preceding); Agni Purana 26 (subsequent mudrā catalogue and classifications)
FAQs
It introduces mudrā-lakṣaṇa (the technical definitions of ritual hand-gestures) and identifies the first, Añjali-mudrā, as the standard gesture of reverent salutation performed at/with the heart.
By shifting from mantra exposition (chapter 25) to a systematic catalog of mudrās (chapter 26), it demonstrates the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of practical ritual technology—mantras, gestures, and their intended effects.
Añjali-mudrā embodies humility and devotion; performed as prescribed, it ritually expresses surrender and reverence, supporting purity of intention and proper devotional conduct in worship.