Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 32
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
कृष्णाष्टमीचतुर्दश्योर्ग्रहणादौ च साधकः दस्रो यमो ऽनलो धाता शशी रुद्रो गुरुर्दितिः
kṛṣṇāṣṭamīcaturdaśyorgrahaṇādau ca sādhakaḥ dasro yamo 'nalo dhātā śaśī rudro gururditiḥ
On the dark eighth and the dark fourteenth lunar days—and at the commencement of an eclipse—the relevant Sādhaka-yoga is indicated for the practitioner; its presiding names are Dasra, Yama, Anala, Dhātā, Śaśī, Rudra, Guru, and Diti.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Select potent times (Krishna Ashtami/Chaturdashi, eclipse onset) and recognize the associated Sadhaka-yoga presiding powers for timing sadhana.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sādhaka-yoga: Tithi (Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī, Kṛṣṇacaturdaśī) and Grahaṇa-ādi with Presiding Names","lookup_keywords":["krishna-ashtami","krishna-chaturdashi","grahana","sadhaka-yoga","Dasra-Yama-Anala"],"quick_summary":"The verse identifies auspicious/charged windows for sadhana—dark 8th, dark 14th, and eclipse commencement—and lists the presiding powers (Dasra, Yama, Anala, Dhata, Shashi, Rudra, Guru, Diti) connected with that yoga."}
Concept: Kāla (time) is a functional power; aligning practice with tithi/grahaṇa increases efficacy in ritual technology.
Application: Schedule intensified japa/homa on Krishna Ashtami/Chaturdashi and at grahana-adi, observing purity rules customary for eclipse periods.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Muhurta (Tithi/Grahana-vidhi for Sadhaka)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Celestial
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night sky with a lunar eclipse beginning; below, a sadhaka performs japa with a lunar calendar showing Krishna Ashtami and Chaturdashi; eight presiding names appear as subtle deity-forms or inscribed labels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic grahana sky with Rahu motif, moon partially covered; sadhaka seated with japa mala; border shows moon phases for ashtami and chaturdashi; eight name-deities as small aureoled figures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted eclipse moon above; central sadhaka with halo; eight name-panels (Dasra, Yama, Anala, Dhata, Shashi, Rudra, Guru, Diti) in gilded cartouches; rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: lunar phase chart marking Krishna Ashtami/Chaturdashi, eclipse onset diagram, and the eight presiding names neatly written; calm, precise style.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, astronomer-sage observing eclipse with astrolabe-like instrument and manuscript; sadhaka chanting nearby; moon phases and Sanskrit names delicately inscribed; refined night palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कृष्णाष्टमीचतुर्दश्योः = कृष्ण-अष्टमी-चतुर्दश्योः; ग्रहण+आदौ→ग्रहणादौ; यमः+अनलः→यमोऽनलः; गुरुḥ+दितिḥ→गुरुर्दितिः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (jyotisha-muhurta segment tied to mantra practice)
FAQs
It gives a Jyotiṣa identification: on Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī, Kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī, and at the start of an eclipse, the operative designation is “Sādhaka,” along with the associated presiding names used for calendrical/ritual classification.
By listing specialized astrological nomenclature (tithi/eclipses and named yogas/deities), it functions like a reference manual for timing-based ritual and observance—one of the many technical domains (Jyotiṣa, kalpa, vrata) compiled in the text.
It frames certain lunar days and eclipse beginnings as marked times for “sādhana/siddhi-oriented” practice, implying heightened ritual potency when actions are aligned with the stated calendrical indications.