Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
Chapter 301 — सूर्यार्चनं
Sūryārcana) / Sun-worship (closing colophon only
शिवमिष्ट्वा जपेच्छक्तिमष्टम्यादिचतुर्दशीं चक्रपाशाङ्कुशधरां साभयां वरदायिकां
śivamiṣṭvā japecchaktimaṣṭamyādicaturdaśīṃ cakrapāśāṅkuśadharāṃ sābhayāṃ varadāyikāṃ
शिवमिष्ट्वा शक्तिं जपेच्छक्तिमष्टम्यां चतुर्दश्यां च। चक्रपाशाङ्कुशधरां साभयां वरदायिकां ध्यायन्।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Śakti-upāsanā with calendrical timing (aṣṭamī, caturdaśī) after Śiva-pūjā; dhyāna of the Goddess with cakra–pāśa–aṅkuśa, abhaya and vara gestures for protection and boon-granting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṣṭamī–Caturdaśī Śakti-japa after Śiva-pūjā (Cakra–Pāśa–Aṅkuśa dhyāna)","lookup_keywords":["Śakti upāsanā","aṣṭamī","caturdaśī","cakra pāśa aṅkuśa","abhaya varada"],"quick_summary":"Begin with Śiva worship, then perform Śakti japa specifically on the 8th and 14th lunar days while meditating on Her armed with discus, noose, and goad, granting fearlessness and boons."}
Concept: Sequential devotion (Śiva first, then Śakti) and tithi-niyama (aṣṭamī/caturdaśī) enhance mantra-siddhi; dhyāna with clear iconographic anchors stabilizes the mind and rite.
Application: Observe lunar timing, begin with Śiva-ārādhana as pūrvāṅga, then do focused japa with consistent Devī-dhyāna (āyudha and protective/boon intent).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shakti-upasana (Tantric-style Devi worship and japa-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee completes Śiva worship, then turns to a Devī yantra/altar, chanting japa on aṣṭamī/caturdaśī; the Goddess appears in meditation-vision holding cakra, pāśa, aṅkuśa, radiating protection and granting boons.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva shrine on one side and Devī shrine on the other, devotee transitioning from Śiva-pūjā to japa, Devī with cakra-pāśa-aṅkuśa, abhaya/varada expression, rich reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Devī as central icon with gold halo and ornate jewelry, cakra-pāśa-aṅkuśa clearly shown, devotee with mālā, Śiva liṅga depicted as prior worship, heavy gold embellishment","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of tithi (8th and 14th moon phases) in corner medallions, devotee doing japa, Devī iconography labeled (cakra, pāśa, aṅkuśa), calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night-sky with moon phase indicator, devotee in a lamp-lit chamber, vision of Devī with weapons and gentle blessing gesture, fine textile and architectural detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ‘जपेच्छक्तिम्’ = ‘जपेत् शक्तिम्’; ‘अष्टम्यादि-’ is a list-compound; ‘चक्रपाशाङ्कुशधराम्’ = ‘चक्र-पाश-अङ्कुश-धराम्’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Devī-pūjā and mantra-japa sections; Agni Purana: Tithi-based vrata/niyama passages
FAQs
It prescribes a japa-vidhi for Śakti with specific tithi-timing (Aṣṭamī and Caturdaśī) and a dhyāna-iconography (cakra–pāśa–aṅkuśa, abhaya, varada) to be held in meditation during practice.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual dimension—combining calendrical rules (lunar tithis), mantra/japa procedure, and precise deity-iconography—showing how the Agni Purana compiles applied worship-technology alongside other disciplines.
By worshipping Śiva first and then performing Śakti-japa on potent lunar days with proper dhyāna, the practitioner seeks purification, protection (abhaya), and the fulfillment of rightful aims (varada) through disciplined, time-aligned devotion.