Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 18
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
तिथिवारर्क्षसङ्क्रान्तियोगमन्वादिकालके ब्रतादि सूर्येशशक्तिश्रीशादेरघघातनं
tithivārarkṣasaṅkrāntiyogamanvādikālake bratādi sūryeśaśaktiśrīśāderaghaghātanaṃ
When vows (vrata) and related rites are performed at times determined by the lunar day (tithi), weekday (vāra), lunar mansion (nakṣatra), solar ingress (saṅkrānti), and auspicious combinations (yoga)—and also on sacred occasions such as Manvādi—they become destroyers of sin, especially through the worship of Sūrya, Īśa (Śiva), Śakti, Śrīśa (Viṣṇu), and the like.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Selecting auspicious ritual windows (tithi–vāra–nakṣatra–saṅkrānti–yoga; Manvādi) to schedule vratas and pūjā for maximum dharmic merit and pāpa-kṣaya.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vrata-kāla-nirṇaya by tithi–vāra–nakṣatra–saṅkrānti–yoga (with Manvādi)","lookup_keywords":["tithi","vāra","nakṣatra","saṅkrānti","yoga"],"quick_summary":"Vratas and allied rites gain special sin-destroying efficacy when performed at properly determined calendrical junctions, especially when directed to Sūrya, Śiva, Śakti, and Viṣṇu."}
Concept: Kāla (sacred time) conditions the fruit of karma; properly timed worship accelerates pāpa-kṣaya.
Application: Use pañcāṅga factors (tithi, vāra, nakṣatra, yoga, saṅkrānti) and Manvādi days to plan vratas/pūjā to Sūrya–Śiva–Śakti–Viṣṇu.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi and Vrata-kala-nirnaya (Ritual timing: tithi-vāra-nakṣatra-saṅkrānti-yoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual calendar scene: a priest and householder consult a pañcāṅga (tithi–vāra–nakṣatra–yoga–saṅkrānti) and perform a timed vrata-pūjā before icons of Sūrya, Śiva, Śakti, and Viṣṇu, with rays of light symbolizing pāpa-kṣaya.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors; a pañcāṅga palm-leaf manuscript in the priest’s hand; Sūrya with halo, Śiva with matted locks, Devī with lotus, Viṣṇu with śaṅkha-cakra; ritual fire and offerings; sacred time motifs (moon phases, nakṣatra stars) in the border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf: central quartet of deities (Sūrya, Śiva, Śakti, Viṣṇu) above; below, devotee performing vrata with kalasha and lamps; ornate arch, heavy jewelry, embossed gold for halos and ornaments; small pañcāṅga symbols around.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework: instructional composition showing pañcāṅga factors labeled (tithi, vāra, nakṣatra, yoga, saṅkrānti); priest indicating the correct time; neat ritual implements (ghṛta lamp, flowers, water pot).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly scholar-priest consulting an illustrated calendar; precise star map and lunar disc; devotees at a small shrine; fine architectural details; subdued palette with intricate margins depicting nakṣatra constellations."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tithivārarkṣasaṅkrāntiyogamanvādikālake = tithi-vāra-ṛkṣa-saṅkrānti-yoga-anvādi-kālake; sūryeśaśaktiśrīśāder = sūrya-īśa-śakti-śrīśa-ādeḥ; araghaghātanaṃ read as agha-ghātanam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: vrata-kāla-nirṇaya sections; Agni Purana: pūjā-vidhi sections; Agni Purana: Sūrya/Śiva/Śakti/Viṣṇu-stotra and arcana materials
FAQs
It teaches kāla-nirṇaya (ritual time-determination): selecting vrata and worship times using tithi, weekday, nakṣatra, saṅkrānti, yoga, and Manvādi-type sacred occasions to maximize merit and purification.
It integrates Jyotiṣa (calendar astronomy/astrology) with practical dharma—showing how cosmological time-units govern vrata, pūjā, and religious efficacy—illustrating the text’s cross-disciplinary, manual-like scope.
Properly timed observances and deity-worship (Sūrya, Śiva, Devī, Viṣṇu, etc.) are said to function as agha-ghātana—destroying accumulated sin and supporting purification and auspicious outcomes.