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
മഹാപ്രസ്ഥാനം ആരംഭിച്ച ആ ധീമാൻ ദ്രൗപദിയോടും സഹോദരന്മാരോടും കൂടി; ലോകത്തിന്റെ അനിത്യഭാവം അറിഞ്ഞ് ഹരിയുടെ അഷ്ടശത നാമങ്ങൾ ജപിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരുന്നു.
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.