Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 29
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
अंशुमानुदकप्राणः सप्तमं वर्णमुद्धृतम् पद्ममिन्दुसमाक्रान्तं नन्दीशमेकपादधृक्
aṃśumānudakaprāṇaḥ saptamaṃ varṇamuddhṛtam padmamindusamākrāntaṃ nandīśamekapādadhṛk
第七字母应当摄取（用于安置/观修 nyāsa），观为光明炽盛、以水为魂、即是生命之气本身——（观想为）被月辉充满的莲华，并为Nandīśa，即持独足者（Ekāpāda之相）。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic ritual-vidyā)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Varṇa-devatā dhyāna for nyāsa: installing the seventh syllable with specific elemental/psychic correspondences (water, prāṇa) and deity-form (Nandīśa/Ekāpāda).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Seventh varṇa-dhyāna: Aṃśumān–Udaka–Prāṇa; lotus with moon; Nandīśa Ekāpāda","lookup_keywords":["saptama varṇa","udaka-prāṇa","padma","indu","nandīśa ekāpāda"],"quick_summary":"The seventh letter is meditated upon as radiant and identical with water and life-breath, visualized through a moon-pervaded lotus and associated with Nandīśa in the Ekāpāda form for nyāsa."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Microcosm–macrocosm mapping: varṇa is not mere phoneme but a devatā-bearing power aligned with elements (udaka) and vital force (prāṇa).
Application: During nyāsa, synchronize breath (prāṇa) with visualization of cool lunar lotus (indu-padma) to steady mind and ‘seat’ the seventh varṇa without agitation.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya & Nyasa (Varna-devata / Dhyanas of syllables and deities)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous lotus on a calm water surface, suffused by a full moon; within/above it stands Nandīśa in Ekāpāda (single-foot) form, while a sādhaka performs nyāsa with breath-focused posture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large stylized lotus and moon disc, Nandīśa Ekāpāda with bold outlines and flat colors, sacred river-like water band, sādhaka at corner with nyāsa mudrā, ornate floral borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central moon-lotus with embossed gold moon halo, Ekāpāda Nandīśa adorned yet austere, gem highlights, deep blue water field, rich ornamental frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear depiction of Ekāpāda stance and attributes, soft gradients for moonlight, labeled elements ‘udaka’ and ‘prāṇa’ in small callouts, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, moonlit lotus pond scene, delicate rendering of water ripples, ascetic single-footed figure with subtle aura, sādhaka seated on a terrace, fine botanical detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aṃśumānudakaprāṇaḥ → aṃśumān + udaka-prāṇaḥ; varṇamuddhṛtam → varṇam + uddhṛtam; padmamindusamākrāntaṃ → padmam + indu-samākrāntam; nandīśamekapādadhṛk → nandīśam + eka-pāda-dhṛk
Related Themes: Agni Purana 316 (varṇa-devatā nyāsa sequence; earlier/later varṇas with corresponding dhyānas)
FAQs
It gives a nyāsa/dhyāna specification for the “seventh letter,” prescribing its ritual visualization with attributes (radiant, water-prāṇa) and associated deity-forms (lotus-moon imagery and Nandīśa/Ekāpāda).
Beyond myth, the text catalogues applied esoteric practice—linking phonetics (varṇa), iconography (lotus, moon), and Śaiva deity-forms (Nandīśa, Ekāpāda) into a usable ritual-technology for mantra practice.
Correct varṇa-dhyāna and nyāsa are taught as purifying and empowering: aligning breath (prāṇa), subtle elements (water), and deity-consciousness to stabilize mantra-siddhi and inner sanctification.