Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 11
Chapter 299 — ग्रहहृन्मन्त्रादिकम्
Grahahṛn-Mantras and Allied Procedures
खट्टाङ्गाब्जादिशिक्तिञ्च दधानं चतुराननम् अन्तर्वाह्यादिखट्टाङ्गपद्मस्थं रविमण्डले
khaṭṭāṅgābjādiśiktiñca dadhānaṃ caturānanam antarvāhyādikhaṭṭāṅgapadmasthaṃ ravimaṇḍale
Within the Sun-disc (ravi-maṇḍala), one should visualize the four-faced deity, bearing a khaṭṭāṅga staff, a lotus, and other emblems, seated upon a lotus marked with the inner and outer khaṭṭāṅga and related insignia.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Meditative visualization (dhyāna) of a specific four-faced deity within the solar disc for ritual focus, nyāsa, and maṇḍala-upāsanā; also informs iconographic depiction in yantra/maṇḍala art.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ravi-maṇḍala Dhyāna: Four-faced Deity with Khaṭṭāṅga and Lotus","lookup_keywords":["ravi-maṇḍala","caturānana","khaṭṭāṅga","padma","dhyāna-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"The verse instructs visualization of a four-faced deity in the Sun-disc, bearing khaṭṭāṅga and lotus and seated on a lotus marked with specific insignia—used to stabilize solar-maṇḍala worship and inner contemplation."}
Concept: Maṇḍala-dhyāna: the cosmos (here, the Sun) is used as a support (ālambana) for concentrating mind and invoking divine order within perception.
Application: During sunrise/solar worship, visualize the described form in the solar orb; coordinate breath and gaze gently (without strain) to steady attention and ritual efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Dhyana-yoga (Iconography and meditative visualization of deities within the solar maṇḍala)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred-Cosmic
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant Sun-disc containing a four-faced deity seated on a lotus, holding a khaṭṭāṅga and lotus; the lotus seat bears symbolic markings (khaṭṭāṅga motifs) arranged in inner and outer rings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: large golden-red ravi-maṇḍala with concentric rings; within it a serene four-faced deity on a lotus, holding khaṭṭāṅga and lotus; stylized sacred geometry and traditional border patterns.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: circular sun halo with embossed gold; four-faced deity centered, lotus throne with gold detailing; rich reds and greens, heavy ornamentation, devotional symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: precise mandala geometry, clean concentric circles; clear depiction of four faces and emblems; instructional clarity with subtle shading and elegant linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: celestial scene with a luminous sun orb; inside, a finely detailed four-faced figure on lotus; delicate clouds and astronomical motifs; jewel-like palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Suryakant (if available in tradition)","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिक्तिञ्च = शिक्तिम्/शुक्तिम् + च (anusvāra before c); रविमण्डले = रवि + मण्डले; long compound segmented by semantic members.
Related Themes: Agni Purana pūjā-vidhi sections on Sūrya-upāsanā and maṇḍala-dhyāna near ch. 299
FAQs
It gives a dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (visualization specification): meditate on a four-faced deity within the ravi-maṇḍala, defined by specific held emblems (khaṭṭāṅga, lotus, etc.) and a lotus-seat marked by inner/outer insignia.
It preserves precise iconographic and ritual-meditative metadata (form, weapons/emblems, seat, location in a cosmic maṇḍala), showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of practical worship-technology alongside theology.
Such disciplined visualization aligns the practitioner’s mind with the solar maṇḍala’s divinity, supporting purification, steadiness in worship, and merit (puṇya) through correct dhyāna according to scriptural form.