Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Yātrā-Maṇḍala-Cintā and Rājya-Rakṣaṇa: Auspicious Travel Rules and the Twelve-King Mandala
सर्वद्वाराणि शस्तानि छायामानं वदामि ते आदित्ये विंशतिर्ज्ञेयाश् चन्द्रे षोडश कीर्तिताः
sarvadvārāṇi śastāni chāyāmānaṃ vadāmi te āditye viṃśatirjñeyāś candre ṣoḍaśa kīrtitāḥ
সকলো দিশাৰ দুৱাৰ শুভ বুলি গণ্য। মই তোমাক ছায়া-মান (ছায়া-মাপ) বিদ্যা কওঁ—সূৰ্যৰ বাবে বিশটা বিভাগ জ্ঞেয়, চন্দ্ৰৰ বাবে ষোল্লটা ঘোষিত।
Lord Agni (narrating the encyclopedic disciplines of the Agni Purana, addressing the sage listener)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Using gnomonics (shadow-length/gnomon) and directional orientation to determine time-divisions and auspicious spatial alignment for openings/doorways and daily activities.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Chhāyāmāna (Gnomonics): Solar and Lunar Divisions; Auspicious Doorways","lookup_keywords":["chhayamana","gnomon","aditya vimsati","chandra shodasha","sarva-dvara shasta"],"quick_summary":"Defines a rule-set for shadow-based time/measure (chhāyāmāna), assigning 20 divisions for solar reckoning and 16 for lunar reckoning, while affirming auspiciousness of directional doorways for practical orientation."}
Concept: Cosmic order is made actionable through standardized measures (solar/lunar divisions) and correct orientation.
Application: Apply consistent solar/lunar divisions for calendrical decisions; align entrances and activities with auspicious directions and measured time.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha (Chhaya-mana / Gnomonics and Astronomical Time-Measure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gnomon (śaṅku) casting a measured shadow on a marked ground-circle, with the Sun and Moon indicated above; a building façade showing multiple directional doorways deemed auspicious.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and ochres, a sage teaching chhāyāmāna beside a śaṅku and circular dial with marked divisions, Sun and Moon as stylized deities, doorway directions subtly shown, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold work, central sage holding a measuring rod near a gnomon and shadow marks, Sun and Moon in ornate halos, architectural doorway motifs with gilded borders, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing a technical ground-dial with 20 and 16 divisions annotated, calm instructional scene with a teacher and student, soft pastel palette and delicate shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, precise scientific tableau: gnomon on a terrace, shadow lines on a diagrammatic circle, attendants recording counts, Sun and Moon in the sky, architectural doorway directions in the background, detailed textiles and margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वद्वाराणि = सर्व + द्वाराणि (कर्मधारय). विंशतिर्ज्ञेयाः = विंशतिः + ज्ञेयाः (विसर्ग-सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 232 (Jyotiṣa: chhāyāmāna/time-measure context)
FAQs
It gives a Jyotiṣa/gnomonic rule: shadow-based measurement (chāyāmāna) is standardized into 20 divisions for solar reckoning and 16 for lunar reckoning, alongside a Vāstu note that all doorways are auspicious.
In a single verse it bridges Vāstu (doorway auspiciousness and spatial norms) with Jyotiṣa (practical astronomical time-measure), showing how the text compiles applied sciences used in ritual scheduling and daily observance.
Correct reckoning of solar and lunar measures supports proper timing of rites and observances; aligning actions with auspicious spatial and temporal order is presented as conducive to ritual efficacy and dharmic merit.