Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 2
Chapter 23 — पूजाविधिकथनम्
The Account of the Rules of Worship
ध्यायं हरिं देवमिति घचिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः प्राङ्मुखः स्वस्तिकं बद्ध्वा पद्माद्यपरमेव च यं वीजं नाभिमध्यस्थं धूम्रं चण्डानिलात्मकं
dhyāyaṃ hariṃ devamiti ghacihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ prāṅmukhaḥ svastikaṃ baddhvā padmādyaparameva ca yaṃ vījaṃ nābhimadhyasthaṃ dhūmraṃ caṇḍānilātmakaṃ
诵读文中标示之句“（我）观想哈利（Hari）天神”，应面向东方，结跏作吉祥坐（svastika），并依仪轨作莲花等诸印相（mudrā）。继而观想种子字“yaṃ”安住于脐轮中央：色如烟霭，性为猛烈之风。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual-encyclopedic mode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Dhyana with posture, orientation, mudra, and bija-visualization at the navel (manipura region) to activate pranic movement and prepare for puja.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhyana of Hari with 'yaṃ' bija at nabhi (navel)","lookup_keywords":["Hari-dhyana","svastika-asana","yaṃ bija","nabhi-madhya","vayu-tattva"],"quick_summary":"Face east in svastika posture, employ prescribed mudras, and visualize the 'yaṃ' bija at the navel as smoke-colored and wind-natured—an internal preparatory yogic step for worship."}
Concept: Mantra-bija as a psycho-energetic support for concentration; orientation (prangmukha) and asana stabilize mind and prana.
Application: Use consistent posture and directional facing to reduce distraction; visualize bija with color/element cues to deepen one-pointedness before external worship.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yoga-Tantra (Dhyana and Bija visualization)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner faces east in svastika posture, hands in lotus-like mudra, visualizing a smoky 'yaṃ' syllable glowing at the navel as a fierce wind-current.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogi seated facing east, stylized smoke-gray bija 'yaṃ' at navel with swirling wind motifs, minimal shrine elements, bold outlines and sacred geometry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central seated figure with gold halo, subtle gold-embossed bija 'yaṃ' at navel, ornate border, lamp and conch nearby, devotional-yogic fusion","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional anatomy overlay: navel center marked, 'yaṃ' syllable in smoke hue, arrows indicating wind movement, calm studio-like setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant yogi in a pavilion facing sunrise, delicate calligraphy 'yaṃ' at navel, translucent smoke and wind curls, fine detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devamiti = devam + iti; ghacihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ resolved as ghacihnita-pustaka-pāṭhaḥ; prāṅmukhaḥ = prāk + mukhaḥ; padmādyaparameva = padma-ādi-parama + eva; nābhimadhyastham = nābhi-madhya-stham; caṇḍānilātmakaṃ = caṇḍa-anila-ātmakaṃ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 23 (bija-dhyana sequence: nabhi to hridaya etc.)
FAQs
It teaches a practical dhyāna-vidhi: face east, assume svastika-āsana, follow padma and related prescribed gestures/attitudes, and visualize the bīja “yaṃ” at the navel as smoke-colored and wind-like.
Alongside mythology, the Agni Purana preserves procedural ritual technology—posture, orientation, mantra-recitation, and internal visualization—showing its compendium-style coverage of yoga-tantra and pūjā-vidhi.
The instruction links devotion to Hari with disciplined bodily posture and subtle visualization, aiming at mental purification, steadiness of prāṇa (wind), and focused concentration that supports successful mantra practice.