Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 9
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
आग्नेयस्य मनोः सौम्यमन्त्रस्यैतद्विपर्ययात् प्रबोधकालं जानीयादुभयोरुभयोरहः
āgneyasya manoḥ saumyamantrasyaitadviparyayāt prabodhakālaṃ jānīyādubhayorubhayorahaḥ
आग्नेयमनुमन्त्रे सौम्यमन्त्रे च एतद्विपर्ययेन प्रबोधकालं जानीयात्; उभयोरपि तदनुरूपोऽहः परिज्ञेयः।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Muhūrta-nirṇaya for prabodha (awakening) and day-determination by applying a reversal rule for Agneya vs Saumya mantra contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prabodha-kāla Nirṇaya via Agneya/Saumya Mantra (Viparyaya-nyāya)","lookup_keywords":["prabodha-kāla","agneya","saumya","viparyaya","ahorātra-nirṇaya"],"quick_summary":"Determine awakening time and the corresponding day by applying an inverse rule depending on whether the operative mantra is Agneya (fiery) or Saumya (lunar). This aligns mantra-prayoga with auspicious temporal classification."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is conditioned by kāla; mantra-class (Agni/Soma polarity) modulates temporal rules (viparyaya).
Application: When planning japa/vrata/rajya-kārya, classify the mantra as Agneya or Saumya and compute prabodha/day accordingly.
Khanda Section: Jyotiṣa (Mantra-śāstra: timing of awakening/auspicious day determination)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A jyotiṣi-sādhaka consulting a nakṣatra wheel and two mantra panels labeled Agneya and Saumya, showing an arrow of ‘viparyaya’ (reversal) to decide prabodha-kāla and the day.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: astrologer with palm-leaf charts, circular nakṣatra-maṇḍala, two color-coded mantra emblems—flame (Agni) and moon (Soma)—with a reversal arrow motif.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate nakṣatra chakra with gold leaf, Agni and Soma medallions on either side, priest pointing to the computed prabodha-kāla, rich reds and blues.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic diagram style—tables/mandala for day determination, clear labels for Agneya/Saumya and viparyaya, fine linework and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar in a study with astrolabe-like disk and manuscript, small flame and crescent icons marking mantra types, careful gesture indicating reversal rule."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सौम्यमन्त्रस्यैतद्विपर्ययात् = सौम्य-मन्त्रस्य + एतत्-विपर्ययात्; जानीयादुभयोरुभयोरहः = जानीयात् + उभयोः + उभयोः + अहः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Jyotiṣa portions on nakṣatra/vara determination and muhūrta; Mantra-śāstra on mantra-bheda (Agneya/Saumya)
FAQs
It teaches a procedural rule for determining prabodha-kāla (the proper activation/awakening time) for Agneya and Saumya mantras, specifically by using a viparyaya (reversal) of the previously stated timing rule.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical, manual-like coverage of applied disciplines—here, ritual calendrics and mantra-application logic—alongside its broader teachings on worship, polity, medicine, and arts.
Correct timing and rule-application are presented as essential for a mantra’s efficacy and ritual purity; following the prescribed prabodha-kāla supports successful observance and the intended religious merit (puṇya).