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
All the directional doorways are regarded as auspicious. I shall explain to you the science of measuring by shadow (gnomonics): for the Sun, twenty (units/divisions) are to be understood; for the Moon, sixteen are declared.
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.