Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 40
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
चतुःषट्पञ्चमाष्टादि खाछिखाद्यादि मण्डलम् खाक्षीन्दुसूर्यगं सर्वं खाक्षि चैवेन्दुवर्णनात्
catuḥṣaṭpañcamāṣṭādi khāchikhādyādi maṇḍalam khākṣīndusūryagaṃ sarvaṃ khākṣi caivenduvarṇanāt
મંડલ ‘ચાર, છ, પાંચ, આઠ…’ એવી સંખ્યાશ્રેણીથી અને ‘ખા, છિ, ખા…’ વગેરે વર્ણશ્રેણીથી આરંભ કરીને રચવું. આ બધું ચંદ્ર અને સૂર્યની ગતિ સાથે સંકળાયેલું સમજવું; અને ‘ખાક્ષિ’ નામ પણ ચંદ્રવર્ણનના કારણે છે.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Encoding/constructing a graha-related mandala using number-series and bīja/akṣara series, with lunar-solar correspondence for timing and identification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Graha-maṇḍala saṅkhyā-akṣara-krama (4-6-5-8…) and khā-chi… lunar-solar coding","lookup_keywords":["jyotiṣa-maṇḍala","saṅkhyā-krama","bīja-akṣara","candra-sūrya","khākṣi"],"quick_summary":"Construct the mandala by a prescribed numerical sequence and corresponding syllabic series; interpret the scheme through Moon–Sun motion, with specific bīja terms (e.g., khākṣi) keyed to lunar description."}
Concept: Cosmic forces (grahas) can be represented through structured correspondences—number (saṅkhyā) and sound (akṣara/bīja)—linked to lunar-solar cycles.
Application: Use coded mandalas for graha-related worship, timing, or contemplative mapping, ensuring the numeric-akṣara sequence matches the intended lunar/solar referent.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Mantra-shastra (Bija-akshara and mandala coding of grahas)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A coded astrological mandala: concentric or segmented diagram labeled with the number sequence 4-6-5-8… and bīja syllables beginning khā-chi-khā…, annotated with Moon and Sun paths and a highlighted term ‘khākṣi’ tied to the Moon.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, cosmic diagram with stylized Candra and Sūrya circling a mandala, number glyphs and bīja syllables in decorative script, deep reds/ochres, ornate celestial border motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, radiant Sun and Moon with gold leaf halos above a mandala inscribed with number and syllable series, rich blues and reds, gold detailing on the diagram lines","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical astrological chart presentation: clear segmented mandala, sequences written neatly, arrows showing lunar-solar motion, ‘khākṣi’ highlighted, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-astrologer drawing a mandala on paper with compass and ink, Sun and Moon depicted in the margin, fine calligraphy for numbers and bījas, delicate palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Marwa","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: catuḥṣaṭpañcamāṣṭādi = catuḥ-ṣaṭ-pañcama-aṣṭa-ādi; khāchikhādyādi = khāchi-khādi-ādi; khākṣīndusūryagaṃ = khākṣi-indu-sūrya-gam; caivenduvarṇanāt = ca eva indu-varṇanāt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana jyotiṣa-related passages on grahas, tithi/nakṣatra reckoning, and mantra-bīja usage in ritual diagrams (adjacent khanda context)
FAQs
It teaches a technical mandala-construction method using number-series and syllable (bīja/akṣara) series, explicitly linked to lunar and solar motion—i.e., a jyotiṣa-style mnemonic/diagrammatic encoding.
Beyond myth and devotion, it preserves specialized applied knowledge—diagrammatic (maṇḍala) layouts, akṣara-codes, and lunar–solar reckoning—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of mantra-shastra and practical jyotiṣa techniques.
By aligning a mantra/mandala system with Indu and Sūrya, the instruction frames cosmic order (ṛta) as the basis of practice; such alignment is traditionally held to support mental purity, steadiness in observance, and efficacy of rites tied to time (kāla).