Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 18
Chapter 21 — सामान्यपूजाकथनम्
Teaching on General Worship
भां नेत्रं वस् तथार्कास्त्रं राज्ञी शक्तिश् च निष्कुभा सोमो ऽङ्गारकोथ बुधो जीवः शुक्रः शनिः क्रमात्
bhāṃ netraṃ vas tathārkāstraṃ rājñī śaktiś ca niṣkubhā somo 'ṅgārakotha budho jīvaḥ śukraḥ śaniḥ kramāt
«Bhā» (البهاء) للعين؛ و«Vasu» وكذلك سلاح أَرْكَة (الشمس)؛ و«Rājñī» (الملكة)، والرمح (śakti)، و«niṣkubhā»—تُسند هذه على الترتيب إلى سوما (القمر)، وأنغارَكا (المريخ)، ثم بودها (عطارد)، وجيفا (بṛhaspati/المشتري)، وشوكرا (الزهرة)، وشاني (زحل).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Navagraha-devatā identification through emblems/attributes for dhyāna, yantra-pūjā, and graha-śānti rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Navagraha emblems/assignments for Soma to Śani","lookup_keywords":["Navagraha","graha-devata emblems","Soma Aṅgāraka Budha","Jīva Śukra Śani","niṣkubha"],"quick_summary":"Provides a compact mapping of symbolic attributes/emblems assigned in order to Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. Useful for correct visualization and ritual identification in graha worship."}
Concept: Cosmic intelligences (grahas) are approached through name-form-symbol correspondences enabling precise contemplation and ritual address.
Application: Use the emblem list to avoid confusion in navagraha pūjā, especially when multiple grahas share similar visual motifs.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha (Navagraha-nirupana / Graha-devata and their emblems)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequential display of graha-deities from Soma to Śani, each marked by a distinct emblem (eye, weapon, spear, niṣkubha, etc.), arranged as a teaching chart or temple panel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: six grahas in a horizontal frieze with clear emblems; muted earth tones with bright highlights; each graha with halo and distinct color accents; minimal background, temple-wall feel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: navagraha panel with gold halos and embossed ornaments; each graha seated on a lotus with emblem held prominently; rich reds/greens; decorative arch framing the set.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional plate—cleanly separated compartments for Soma, Maṅgala, Budha, Guru, Śukra, Śani; each with labeled emblem; fine linework and pastel shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: album-page style with six medallions; each graha as a regal figure holding the emblem; delicate borders, calligraphic labels, subtle celestial background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथार्कास्त्रम् = तथा + अर्कास्त्रम्; सोमोऽङ्गारकः = सोमः + अङ्गारकः (विसर्ग-लोप, अवग्रह). IAST 'aṅgārakotha' interpreted as 'aṅgārakaḥ atha'.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 21 (Navagraha-nirūpaṇa and related pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
It lists emblematic identifiers/attributes assigned in sequence to specific grahas (Moon through Saturn), useful for recognizing or prescribing correct planetary forms and symbols in Navagraha worship and iconography.
It preserves a compact technical mapping between planetary deities and their defining symbols—an applied catalog for astrology, ritual practice, and temple/visual representation—showing the Purana’s coverage beyond narrative into practical reference knowledge.
Correct identification of graha attributes supports accurate worship and remedial rites (śānti/upāya), traditionally held to harmonize planetary influences and reduce karmic obstacles linked with the navagrahas.