Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 25
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
सङ्ख्यानुक्तौ शतं साष्टं सहस्रं वा जपादिषु जपाद्दशांशं सर्वत्र साभिशेकं हुतं विदुः
saṅkhyānuktau śataṃ sāṣṭaṃ sahasraṃ vā japādiṣu japāddaśāṃśaṃ sarvatra sābhiśekaṃ hutaṃ viduḥ
Cuando se prescribe un número concreto, en el japa y en los ritos afines debe realizarse ya sea 108 repeticiones o mil. En todos los casos, la oblación al fuego (huta/homa) se entiende como una décima parte del japa, y ha de hacerse junto con el abhiṣeka (aspersión o unción ritual).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Standardizes default japa counts (108/1000) and fixes the japa-to-homa ratio (1/10) with abhiṣeka accompaniment; used to execute complete sādhanā cycles.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Default Japa Counts and Japa–Homa–Abhiṣeka Ratio","lookup_keywords":["108 japa","sahasra japa","japād daśāṃśa homa","abhiṣeka","saṅkhyā-anukta"],"quick_summary":"If a count is not specified, perform 108 or 1000 repetitions; offer homa oblations equal to one-tenth of the japa, together with abhiṣeka."}
Concept: Sādhanā is a coordinated triad: japa supported by homa and abhiṣeka; numerical discipline (108/1000; 1/10 homa) structures practice.
Application: Plan a rite: choose 108 or 1000 japa; compute homa offerings as japa/10; include abhiṣeka as part of the completion sequence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Japa–Homa–Abhiṣeka procedural rules)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A complete ritual setup: practitioner doing japa with mālā, then offering ghee into a homa fire, and performing abhiṣeka by pouring sanctified water over a liṅga or deity icon; numeric markers 108/1000 and 1/10 shown as ritual annotations.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard homa-kuṇḍa with flames, sādhaka with mālā, attendant holding kalaśa for abhiṣeka over Śiva-liṅga, warm earthy palette and stylized fire curls","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Śiva-liṅga receiving abhiṣeka with gold-highlighted streams, homa fire at side, sādhaka with rosary, ornate gold borders and lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, stepwise instructional scene: panel 1 japa (108/1000), panel 2 homa (1/10), panel 3 abhiṣeka, clean composition and fine detailing of implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ritualist by a square fire altar, assistants counting offerings, abhiṣeka vessel pouring over a small shrine icon, meticulous depiction of utensils and manuscripts"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सङ्ख्यानुक्तौ → सङ्ख्या + अनुक्तौ; साष्टं → स + अष्टम्; जपाद्दशांशं → जपात् + दशांशम्; साभिशेकं → स + अभिषेकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292.26 (default dravya for homa; aṅga-japa ratios); Agni Purana ritual sections on homa-vidhi and abhiṣeka-vidhi (elsewhere in pūjā-vidhi material)
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for mantra-sādhana: standard japa counts (108 or 1000) and the proportional homa requirement—offer oblations equal to one-tenth of the japa, performed along with abhiṣeka.
It preserves procedural “ritual arithmetic” used across pūjā systems—standard counts, proportional offerings, and integrated rites (japa–homa–abhiṣeka)—showing the text’s handbook-like coverage of applied religious practice.
By aligning japa with its daśāṃśa-homa and abhiṣeka, the practice is treated as complete and properly consecrated, supporting purification (śuddhi) and steadiness of mantra results (siddhi).