Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 5
Chapter 300 — सूर्यार्चनम्
Worship of Sūrya
मध्यमातर्जनीमध्यगताङ्गुष्ठौ समुष्टिकौ चतुर्भुजो मोदकाढ्यो दण्डपाशाङ्कुशान्वितः
madhyamātarjanīmadhyagatāṅguṣṭhau samuṣṭikau caturbhujo modakāḍhyo daṇḍapāśāṅkuśānvitaḥ
其两拇指置于中指与食指之间，双手结拳；其具四臂，执甘甜摩陀迦（modaka），并具杖、绳索（pāśa）与象钩（aṅkuśa）。
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Ganesha-murti dhyana and iconographic specification for correct installation, visualization, and worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ganesha Hasta-mudra and Ayudha-lakshana (Muṣṭi with thumb placement; four arms with modaka, daṇḍa, pāśa, aṅkuśa)","lookup_keywords":["Gaṇeśa","muṣṭi-mudrā","modaka","pāśa-aṅkuśa","daṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"Defines a specific hand-formation (thumb set between index and middle) and the four-armed equipment set used for Ganesha’s dhyāna and image-making."}
Concept: Dhyāna requires exact form (ākāra) and attributes (āyudha/mudrā) to stabilize mind and invoke devatā-tattva.
Application: Use the described mudrā and implements while meditating, drawing, sculpting, or performing āvāhana in pūjā.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Murti-lakshana and Dhyana-yoga of Deities)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A four-armed Gaṇeśa shown in dhyāna posture, hands formed into fists with thumb set between index and middle; holding modakas and the implements daṇḍa, pāśa, and aṅkuśa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural of four-armed Gaṇeśa, warm ochres and reds, bold outlines, clear muṣṭi-mudrā with thumb between index and middle, modaka bowl, daṇḍa, pāśa, aṅkuśa, ornamental halo, minimal background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Gaṇeśa with embossed gold halo and jewelry, four arms displaying modaka, daṇḍa, pāśa, aṅkuśa; emphasize the distinctive fist mudrā; rich red-green palette, temple arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional icon plate: labeled hands showing thumb placement between tarjanī and madhyamā; four-armed Gaṇeśa with implements; delicate lines, soft shading, clean background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of Gaṇeśa seated on a low throne, four arms with modaka and ritual implements, precise hand gesture detail, fine textiles, floral border, subdued gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मध्यमातर्जनीमध्यगताङ्गुष्ठौ = मध्यमातर्जनी-मध्य-गत-अङ्गुष्ठौ; दण्डपाशाङ्कुशान्वितः = दण्ड-पाश-अङ्कुश-अन्वितः; मोदकाढ्यः = मोदक-आढ्यः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 300 (Pūjā-vidhi; murti-lakṣaṇa/dhyāna sections)
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna/installation specification for Gaṇeśa: the hand-gesture (thumb positioned between index and middle fingers, hands in muṣṭi) and the standard iconographic implements—modaka, daṇḍa, pāśa, and aṅkuśa—for correct visualization and worship.
By codifying precise deity-iconography (mudrā + āyudha/attributes), it functions like a ritual-technical manual embedded in the Purana, showing the text’s coverage beyond mythology into practical temple and household worship procedure.
Accurate dhyāna with correct mudrā and attributes is taught as a means to focus the mind and align worship with śāstric form, supporting obstacle-removal (vighna-śānti) and merit (puṇya) through properly performed devotion.