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
ముందుగా శివుని ఆరాధించి అష్టమి మరియు చతుర్దశి రోజుల్లో శక్తి జపం చేయాలి; ఆమెను చక్రం, పాశం, అంకుశం ధరించినదిగా, అభయప్రదాయినిగా, వరదాయినిగా ధ్యానించాలి.
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.