Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 18
Chapter 21 — सामान्यपूजाकथनम्
Teaching on General Worship
भां नेत्रं वस् तथार्कास्त्रं राज्ञी शक्तिश् च निष्कुभा सोमो ऽङ्गारकोथ बुधो जीवः शुक्रः शनिः क्रमात्
bhāṃ netraṃ vas tathārkāstraṃ rājñī śaktiś ca niṣkubhā somo 'ṅgārakotha budho jīvaḥ śukraḥ śaniḥ kramāt
«Bhā» (splendeur) est assigné à l’œil ; «Vasu» et, de même, l’arme du Soleil ; la «Reine» (Rājñī), la lance (śakti) et le «niṣkubhā» : tout cela est attribué, dans l’ordre, à Soma (la Lune), Aṅgāraka (Mars), puis Budha (Mercure), Jīva (Bṛhaspati/Jupiter), Śukra (Vénus) et Śani (Saturne), respectivement.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Navagraha-devatā identification through emblems/attributes for dhyāna, yantra-pūjā, and graha-śānti rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Navagraha emblems/assignments for Soma to Śani","lookup_keywords":["Navagraha","graha-devata emblems","Soma Aṅgāraka Budha","Jīva Śukra Śani","niṣkubha"],"quick_summary":"Provides a compact mapping of symbolic attributes/emblems assigned in order to Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. Useful for correct visualization and ritual identification in graha worship."}
Concept: Cosmic intelligences (grahas) are approached through name-form-symbol correspondences enabling precise contemplation and ritual address.
Application: Use the emblem list to avoid confusion in navagraha pūjā, especially when multiple grahas share similar visual motifs.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha (Navagraha-nirupana / Graha-devata and their emblems)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequential display of graha-deities from Soma to Śani, each marked by a distinct emblem (eye, weapon, spear, niṣkubha, etc.), arranged as a teaching chart or temple panel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: six grahas in a horizontal frieze with clear emblems; muted earth tones with bright highlights; each graha with halo and distinct color accents; minimal background, temple-wall feel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: navagraha panel with gold halos and embossed ornaments; each graha seated on a lotus with emblem held prominently; rich reds/greens; decorative arch framing the set.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional plate—cleanly separated compartments for Soma, Maṅgala, Budha, Guru, Śukra, Śani; each with labeled emblem; fine linework and pastel shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: album-page style with six medallions; each graha as a regal figure holding the emblem; delicate borders, calligraphic labels, subtle celestial background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथार्कास्त्रम् = तथा + अर्कास्त्रम्; सोमोऽङ्गारकः = सोमः + अङ्गारकः (विसर्ग-लोप, अवग्रह). IAST 'aṅgārakotha' interpreted as 'aṅgārakaḥ atha'.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 21 (Navagraha-nirūpaṇa and related pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
It lists emblematic identifiers/attributes assigned in sequence to specific grahas (Moon through Saturn), useful for recognizing or prescribing correct planetary forms and symbols in Navagraha worship and iconography.
It preserves a compact technical mapping between planetary deities and their defining symbols—an applied catalog for astrology, ritual practice, and temple/visual representation—showing the Purana’s coverage beyond narrative into practical reference knowledge.
Correct identification of graha attributes supports accurate worship and remedial rites (śānti/upāya), traditionally held to harmonize planetary influences and reduce karmic obstacles linked with the navagrahas.