Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 2
Chapter 153 — Brahmacarya-āśrama-dharma
The Dharma of the Student Stage
व्रजेद्युग्मासु पुत्रार्थी कर्माधानिकमिष्यते गर्भस्य स्पष्टताज्ञाने सवनं स्पन्दनात् पुरा
vrajedyugmāsu putrārthī karmādhānikamiṣyate garbhasya spaṣṭatājñāne savanaṃ spandanāt purā
A man desiring a son should approach (his wife) on the even nights/days of the fertile period; for him the rite connected with conception (garbhādhāna/ādhāna-karman) is prescribed. To determine the clear manifestation of the embryo, the ‘savana’ (the prescribed observance/rite) is to be performed before the stage when foetal movement (spandana) is felt.
Lord Agni (teaching in Agni Purana’s encyclopedic instruction to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Garbha-saṃskāra guidance: timing intercourse on even nights for putra-icchā, and performing the conception-related rite/observance before fetal movement to confirm/secure pregnancy and progeny aims.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Garbhādhāna timing: Even nights & Savana before Spandana","lookup_keywords":["garbhādhāna","yugma-rātri","putrārthī","savana","spandana"],"quick_summary":"For son-desire, union is advised on even nights of the fertile period with garbhādhāna rites; pregnancy-related observance (savana) is to be done early—before fetal movement is perceived."}
Concept: Saṃskāra as intentional shaping of life: progeny is approached through regulated timing, ritual purity, and early gestational observances.
Application: Householders align reproductive intent with dharmic-ritual practice and early prenatal care-like discipline.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Garbha-saṃskāra (Conception, pregnancy signs, and progeny-rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household performs garbhādhāna-related observance: couple in a sanctified room, a small homa fire, priest indicating an ‘even night’ calendar; a symbolic fetus icon shown before ‘spandana’ (quickening).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic sanctum with homa-kuṇḍa, priest and couple, a 16-night wheel highlighting even nights, subtle symbolic womb motif, flat iconic forms and warm tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, couple with devotional posture, priest by yajña fire, gold embellishment on ritual vessels, lotus-calendar marking even nights, auspicious early-pregnancy symbolism","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction: calendar of nights, ritual steps (ādhāna, savana) shown in small panels, refined linework and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with detailed ritual implements, astrologer/priest pointing to a calendar page, delicate textiles, symbolic early-embryo motif rendered allegorically"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vrajedyugmāsu = vrajet + yugmāsu; putrārthī = putra-arthī; karmādhānikam = karma-ādhānikam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Brahmacarya/Gṛhastha regulations around ṛtu-niśā (153.1 context); Agni Purana: Garbha-saṃskāra and saṃskāra procedures (Ayurveda-related sections)
FAQs
It gives a progeny-oriented rule: approach on even nights for putrārtha (desire of a son) and perform the prescribed conception-related rite (karmādhānika/garbhādhāna), with a timing note that the savana-observance should be done before foetal movement (spandana) becomes perceptible.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical household dharma and proto-medical/physiological markers (like foetal quickening) integrated with saṃskāra-ritual timing—showing how ritual, family life, and observational knowledge of pregnancy are treated together.
By aligning conception with prescribed saṃskāra and regulated timing, the act is framed as dharmic (ritually purified) rather than merely sensual, aiming at auspicious progeny and the accrual of merit through disciplined observance.