Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 14
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
आत्मानं योजयित्वोर्ध्वं शिखान्ते द्वादशाङ्गुले संशोष्य दग्ध्वा स्वतनुं प्लावयेदमृतेन च
ātmānaṃ yojayitvordhvaṃ śikhānte dvādaśāṅgule saṃśoṣya dagdhvā svatanuṃ plāvayedamṛtena ca
既令自我上升，并安置于发髻顶端（śikhā）之末，距上十二指量处，当使自身枯竭，复如焚烧其身；继而以甘露（amṛta）灌注充满之。
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Subtle-body practice: raise awareness/prāṇa upward to the śikhā-end point (dvādaśāṅgula above), perform inner ‘drying/burning’ (tapas-like internal purification), then ‘flood’ with amṛta—an amṛta-dhāra visualization associated with bindu/nectar preservation and rejuvenative stabilization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ūrdhva-yoga: śikhā-sthāna fixation and amṛta-plāvana","lookup_keywords":["śikhānta","dvādaśāṅgula","śoṣaṇa-dāha","amṛta-dhāra","ūrdhva-yoga"],"quick_summary":"Lift and fix consciousness above the crown region, perform an inner purification imagined as drying and burning impurities, then restore and stabilize by visualizing a descent/flooding of nectar (amṛta)."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Transformation of embodied experience through subtle ascent (ūrdhva-yoga) and the polarity of tapas (dāha) and grace/nectar (amṛta).
Application: In advanced practice under guidance: pair intense internal cleansing techniques with restorative, cooling integration to prevent imbalance and to stabilize attention.
Khanda Section: Yoga & Tantra (Pranayama–Dharana–Kundalini/Amrita-dharana practices)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in deep meditation, subtle energy rising to a point above the crown (twelve aṅgulas), inner flames purifying the body, then a cool stream of nectar descending and filling the body with luminous calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, meditating yogin with stylized aura, flame motif within torso, a white-blue nectar stream from above crown, lotus and sacred geometry background, restrained yet powerful mystic symbolism.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yogin with radiant gold halo, gold-leaf accents for amṛta droplets, inner fire rendered as red-gold, cool nectar as pearl-white, ornate arch framing a transcendental scene.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise yogic diagram aesthetic: yogin in padmāsana, crown-point marked, flame-to-nectar sequence shown clearly, soft gradients and fine detailing for subtle channels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, contemplative yogin in a quiet pavilion, delicate depiction of luminous vapor rising above the head, then a fine silver stream descending, minimalistic mystical effect with refined linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: योजयित्वोर्ध्वं = योजयित्वा + ऊर्ध्वम्; प्लावयेदमृतेन = प्लावयेत् + अमृतेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (prāṇāyāma and higher yogic steps)
FAQs
It teaches a yogic dhāraṇā: raising awareness upward to the śikhā/crown region (measured as twelve aṅgulas above), applying inner “drying/burning” (tapas/inner heat) and then cooling/revitalizing by visualizing an inward flooding with amṛta (nectar).
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves technical yoga-tantra methods—precise spatial measures (aṅgula), subtle-body loci (śikhā/crown), and psycho-physiological processes (heating, desiccation, nectar-cooling)—showing its wide coverage of practical spiritual sciences.
The sequence symbolizes purification and transformation: burning away impurities through inner fire (tapas) and restoring purity and vitality through amṛta, aiming at heightened clarity, inner cleansing, and progress toward liberation-oriented yogic attainment.