Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 32
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
कृष्णाष्टमीचतुर्दश्योर्ग्रहणादौ च साधकः दस्रो यमो ऽनलो धाता शशी रुद्रो गुरुर्दितिः
kṛṣṇāṣṭamīcaturdaśyorgrahaṇādau ca sādhakaḥ dasro yamo 'nalo dhātā śaśī rudro gururditiḥ
കൃഷ്ണപക്ഷത്തിലെ അഷ്ടമിയും ചതുര്ദശിയും, കൂടാതെ ഗ്രഹണാരംഭത്തിലും സാധകയോഗം സൂചിതമാണ്; അതിന്റെ നാമങ്ങൾ—ദസ്ര, യമ, അനല, ധാതാ, ശശീ, രുദ്ര, ഗുരു, ദിതി।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Select potent times (Krishna Ashtami/Chaturdashi, eclipse onset) and recognize the associated Sadhaka-yoga presiding powers for timing sadhana.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sādhaka-yoga: Tithi (Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī, Kṛṣṇacaturdaśī) and Grahaṇa-ādi with Presiding Names","lookup_keywords":["krishna-ashtami","krishna-chaturdashi","grahana","sadhaka-yoga","Dasra-Yama-Anala"],"quick_summary":"The verse identifies auspicious/charged windows for sadhana—dark 8th, dark 14th, and eclipse commencement—and lists the presiding powers (Dasra, Yama, Anala, Dhata, Shashi, Rudra, Guru, Diti) connected with that yoga."}
Concept: Kāla (time) is a functional power; aligning practice with tithi/grahaṇa increases efficacy in ritual technology.
Application: Schedule intensified japa/homa on Krishna Ashtami/Chaturdashi and at grahana-adi, observing purity rules customary for eclipse periods.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Muhurta (Tithi/Grahana-vidhi for Sadhaka)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Celestial
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night sky with a lunar eclipse beginning; below, a sadhaka performs japa with a lunar calendar showing Krishna Ashtami and Chaturdashi; eight presiding names appear as subtle deity-forms or inscribed labels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic grahana sky with Rahu motif, moon partially covered; sadhaka seated with japa mala; border shows moon phases for ashtami and chaturdashi; eight name-deities as small aureoled figures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted eclipse moon above; central sadhaka with halo; eight name-panels (Dasra, Yama, Anala, Dhata, Shashi, Rudra, Guru, Diti) in gilded cartouches; rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: lunar phase chart marking Krishna Ashtami/Chaturdashi, eclipse onset diagram, and the eight presiding names neatly written; calm, precise style.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, astronomer-sage observing eclipse with astrolabe-like instrument and manuscript; sadhaka chanting nearby; moon phases and Sanskrit names delicately inscribed; refined night palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कृष्णाष्टमीचतुर्दश्योः = कृष्ण-अष्टमी-चतुर्दश्योः; ग्रहण+आदौ→ग्रहणादौ; यमः+अनलः→यमोऽनलः; गुरुḥ+दितिḥ→गुरुर्दितिः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (jyotisha-muhurta segment tied to mantra practice)
FAQs
It gives a Jyotiṣa identification: on Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī, Kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī, and at the start of an eclipse, the operative designation is “Sādhaka,” along with the associated presiding names used for calendrical/ritual classification.
By listing specialized astrological nomenclature (tithi/eclipses and named yogas/deities), it functions like a reference manual for timing-based ritual and observance—one of the many technical domains (Jyotiṣa, kalpa, vrata) compiled in the text.
It frames certain lunar days and eclipse beginnings as marked times for “sādhana/siddhi-oriented” practice, implying heightened ritual potency when actions are aligned with the stated calendrical indications.