Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 12
पाण्डवचरितवर्णनम्
The Account of the Pāṇḍavas
प्रस्थानं प्रस्थितो धीमान् द्रौपद्या भ्रातृभिः सह संसारानित्यतां ज्ञात्वा जपन्नष्टशतं हरेः
prasthānaṃ prasthito dhīmān draupadyā bhrātṛbhiḥ saha saṃsārānityatāṃ jñātvā japannaṣṭaśataṃ hareḥ
महाप्रस्थान को निकला वह बुद्धिमान, द्रौपदी और भाइयों सहित; संसार की अनित्यता जानकर वह हरि के अष्टशत नामों का जप करता रहा।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic/Itihāsa material in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Use of sustained Hari-nama japa (here, an ‘eight-hundred-fold’ formula) as a sadhana during renunciation and life’s final journey; contemplation of impermanence to detach from samsara.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mahaprasthana with Hari’s ‘eight-hundred’ japa","lookup_keywords":["Mahaprasthana","samsara anityata","Harer ashtashata japa","nama-sankirtana"],"quick_summary":"On the Great Departure, the wise cultivate vairagya by realizing impermanence and maintaining continuous Hari-japa, turning travel into sadhana."}
Concept: Anityata-darshana (seeing impermanence) generates vairagya; nama-japa anchors the mind in Hari during transition and loss.
Application: Adopt regular japa (counted repetition) especially in times of change; pair reflection on impermanence with devotional remembrance to reduce clinging.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Narratives (Mahabharata-related Moksha/Prasthana theme)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Sacred route
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Yudhishthira, Draupadi, and the brothers walking away from royal life on a vast road, lips moving in Hari-japa, faces serene with renunciation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, long procession on a stylized mountain-road; simple ascetic garments, prayer beads in hand; calm eyes; decorative clouds and trees framing the ‘great departure’.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure of Yudhishthira with subtle halo, holding japamala; companions behind; gold work on minimal ornaments to contrast renunciation; luminous background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, gentle landscape and clear gestures of japa (mala, folded fingers); emphasis on didactic clarity—impermanence shown by abandoned palace silhouette in distance.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic road scene with detailed terrain; the group walking in single file; fine depiction of beads and garments; subdued, reflective palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संसार + अनित्यताम् → संसारानित्यताम्; जपन् + अष्टशतम् → जपन्नष्टशतम् (न् + अ → न्न).
Related Themes: Agni Purana stotra/mantra sections on Vishnu-nama; Agni Purana moksha-dharma style teachings on vairagya and japa
FAQs
It presents japa-vidhi in narrative form: sustained recitation (japa) of Hari’s designated set of “eight hundred” names/formulae as a devotional discipline during renunciation.
Alongside ritual, polity, and śāstra topics, the Agni Purana also preserves Itihāsa-derived spiritual exemplars—here linking epic history to practical bhakti (name-recitation) and philosophical vairāgya (impermanence of saṃsāra).
Realizing impermanence and engaging in Hari-japa functions as purification of mind and karma, orienting the practitioner toward detachment and liberation (mokṣa) through sustained devotion.