Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 3
Adhyaya 165 — नानाधर्माः
Various Dharmas
सैंहिकयो यदा सूर्यं ग्रसते पर्वसन्धिषु हस्तिच्छाया तु सा ज्ञेया श्राद्धदानादिके ऽक्ष्या
saiṃhikayo yadā sūryaṃ grasate parvasandhiṣu hasticchāyā tu sā jñeyā śrāddhadānādike 'kṣyā
Когда Рāху, сын Симхикā, затмевает Солнце в стыках лунной половины (parvan-sandhi), это время следует понимать как «тень слона»; оно считается непреходящим и особо действенным для обрядов, таких как śrāddha, и для раздачи даров.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic ritual and calendrical rules to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Grahaṇa-kāla (eclipse-time) identification for scheduling śrāddha, dāna, and other rites at parvan-sandhi; recognizing the special muhūrta termed 'hastichāyā' for heightened ritual efficacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Hastichāyā (Elephant-shadow) Grahaṇa-kāla for Śrāddha and Dāna","lookup_keywords":["hastichāyā","grahaṇa-vidhi","parvan-sandhi","śrāddha-kāla","Rāhu (Saimhikeya)"],"quick_summary":"When Rāhu eclipses the Sun at the junction of lunar fortnight divisions (parvan-sandhi), that interval is designated 'hastichāyā' and is treated as an exceptionally efficacious time for śrāddha and charitable giving."}
Concept: Kāla-viśeṣa (special time) amplifies karma-phala in śrāddha and dāna; cosmic events are integrated into dharma-prayoga.
Application: Use eclipse-at-parvan-sandhi as a high-priority window for pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha and dāna, observing local dharma rules for purity and conduct during grahaṇa.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Ritual Timing (Grahaṇa-vidhi / Śrāddha-kāla-nirṇaya)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solar eclipse with Rāhu swallowing the Sun at parvan-sandhi; below, householders and priests perform śrāddha and distribute dāna, with the motif of an 'elephant-shadow' cast across the ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, dramatic grahaṇa: darkened sky, stylized Rāhu eclipsing Sūrya, priests in white performing śrāddha with piṇḍa and water libations, bold flat colors, ornate borders, sacred austerity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf: radiant Sūrya partially covered by Rāhu, haloed figures of pitṛs receiving offerings, richly ornamented vessels for dāna, gold highlights on eclipse disc and ritual implements.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: labeled parvan-sandhi moment, eclipse disc diagram above, below a clean depiction of śrāddha setup (piṇḍa, darbha, water pot), soft shading and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly patron giving dāna during eclipse, astronomer-priest indicating the eclipsed Sun, detailed landscape with long shadows suggesting 'hastichāyā', fine brushwork and naturalistic faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सैंहिकयो→सैंहिकया (तृतीया एकवचन); हasticchāyā as हस्ति+छाया; parvasandhiṣu as पर्व+सन्धि; 'कṣyā interpreted as अक्ष्या (अ+क्ष्या) with avagraha indicating elision after -e.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Grahaṇa-vidhi sections; Agni Purana: Śrāddha-kāla-nirṇaya passages
FAQs
It identifies a specific eclipse-timing marker—Rāhu’s solar eclipse occurring at parvan junctions—calling it “hasti-chhāyā,” and states it is especially effective for performing śrāddha and giving dāna with akṣaya (inexhaustible) merit.
By combining astronomical/astrological classification (grahaṇa and parvan-sandhi) with applied dharma (when to perform śrāddha and charity), it exemplifies how the Agni Purāṇa integrates Jyotiṣa with ritual law and merit-calculus.
Acts like śrāddha and dāna performed at this eclipse-junction are said to yield akṣaya-phala—merit that does not diminish—thereby strengthening ancestral rites and purification through exceptionally potent timing.