Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 8
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
सुप्तः प्रबुद्धमात्रो वा मन्त्रः सिद्धिं न यच्छति श्वापकालो महावाहो जागरो दक्षिणावहः
suptaḥ prabuddhamātro vā mantraḥ siddhiṃ na yacchati śvāpakālo mahāvāho jāgaro dakṣiṇāvahaḥ
眠っている時、あるいは半ば目覚めた程度では、真言は成就（シッディ）を与えない。おお、強き腕の者よ、「śvāpa-kāla」と呼ばれる時は睡眠に適し、覚醒は南行（dakṣiṇāvaha）に結び付く。
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Japa-vidhi: avoid mantra-japa in sleep/half-sleep; schedule practice in proper waking period aligned with diurnal/astral notions (dakṣiṇāyana symbolism) for siddhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Japa-vidhi: Nidra/Ardha-jāgara-doṣa and Śvāpa-kāla","lookup_keywords":["japa-vidhi","śvāpa-kāla","prabodha","mantra-siddhi","dakṣiṇāvaha"],"quick_summary":"Mantra-siddhi is obstructed when japa is done in sleep or drowsiness. Treat śvāpa-kāla as sleep-time; perform japa in clear wakefulness for efficacy."}
Concept: Siddhi depends on sādhaka’s state of consciousness; pramāda (drowsy negligence) vitiates mantra-kriyā.
Application: Establish a waking routine; begin japa only after full prabodha and mental steadiness.
Khanda Section: Mantra-shastra (Japa-vidhi and Mantra-siddhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated for japa at dawn, contrasted with a figure asleep; a symbolic southern course marker (sun’s path) indicating dakṣiṇāvaha wakefulness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: dawn courtyard, sādhaka with japamālā, lamp and tulasī, sleeping figure in the corner labeled śvāpa-kāla, warm earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central sādhaka with halo-like aureole, gold-leaf highlights on mālā and lamp, small vignette of sleeping figure below, inscription-like Sanskrit labels for śvāpa-kāla and jāgara.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional panel showing two states—sleep/half-awake vs fully awake—clean linework, muted palette, annotations indicating proper japa timing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate interior at pre-dawn, sādhaka near a window with faint sunrise, attendant asleep on a cot, delicate detailing of beads and manuscript, subtle symbolism of sun’s southern course."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रबुद्धमात्रो = प्रबुद्ध-मात्रः; श्वापकालो = श्वाप-कालः; महावाहो = महावाह (voc. sg.); दक्षिणावहः = दक्षिण-आवहः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Mantra-śāstra sections on japa-niyama, prāyaścitta for mantra-doṣa, and muhūrta-nirṇaya (same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches a practical rule of mantra-japa: avoid chanting while asleep or drowsy; mantra efficacy (siddhi) requires alert, fully wakeful practice and attention to proper timing.
Alongside its many subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves operational ritual technology—mantra discipline, states of consciousness, and timing—showing it functions as a handbook of applied religious practice, not only mythology.
Wakeful, attentive recitation is presented as the condition for a mantra to bear fruit; drowsy practice is treated as ineffective, implying that right effort and mindful discipline are essential for spiritual attainment.