Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 16
Chapter 299 — ग्रहहृन्मन्त्रादिकम्
Grahahṛn-Mantras and Allied Procedures
कृष्णाङ्गारनिभो राहुर्धूम्रः केतुरुदाहृतः वामोरुवामहस्तान्ते दक्षहस्ताभयप्रदा
kṛṣṇāṅgāranibho rāhurdhūmraḥ keturudāhṛtaḥ vāmoruvāmahastānte dakṣahastābhayapradā
ราหูถูกพรรณนาว่าดุจถ่านดำ เคตุประกาศว่าเป็นสีควัน วางพระหัตถ์ซ้ายบนพระเพลาซ้าย และพระหัตถ์ขวาประทานอภัยมุทรา (ท่าประทานความไร้ภัย)
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s dominant narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Rahu-Ketu color and mudra/posture guidance for navagraha-dhyana, temple iconography, and shanti rituals.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rahu-Ketu Dhyana: Colors and Hand Gestures","lookup_keywords":["Rahu charcoal","Ketu smoke-colored","abhaya-mudra","navagraha-dhyana","iconography"],"quick_summary":"Visualize Rahu as charcoal-black and Ketu as smoke-colored; depict the posture with left hand resting near the left thigh and right hand in abhaya to standardize meditation and images."}
Concept: Ritual control of fear/inauspiciousness through correct dhyana-lakshana (abhaya) even for shadow grahas.
Application: During Rahu/Ketu shanti, maintain the abhaya visualization to frame the graha as pacified/protective rather than purely malefic.
Khanda Section: Jyotiṣa & Graha-dhyāna (Navagraha iconography and meditation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two shadowy planetary deities: Rahu charcoal-black, Ketu smoke-grey; seated with left hand resting on left thigh and right hand raised in abhaya-mudra, set against an eclipse-like darkened sky.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Rahu in deep black tones with bold outline, Ketu in smoky grey; both with right hand in abhaya, left hand resting on thigh; eclipse disc motif behind; traditional flat background and lotus seats.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Rahu and Ketu with gold halos contrasting dark bodies; abhaya mudra emphasized; smoky gradients for Ketu; embossed gold frame with eclipse iconography.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional depiction of mudras and hand placement; Rahu rendered charcoal-black, Ketu smoke-grey; minimal background with eclipse disc for context.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: eclipse scene with two seated figures—Rahu dark as coal, Ketu as smoke; delicate rendering of abhaya gesture; night sky with fine stars and a partially obscured sun/moon."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राहुर्धूम्रः = राहुः + धूम्रः (visarga before voiced consonant); केतुरुदाहृतः = केतुः + उदाहृतः (visarga before vowel).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 299.15 (graha colors)
FAQs
It gives dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditative iconography) for Rāhu and Ketu—colour, posture, and the abhaya hand-gesture—used for Navagraha visualization and installation/worship (pūjā, pratimā-lakṣaṇa).
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual-arts knowledge: precise iconographic cues for planetary deities (grahas), integrating jyotiṣa, dhyāna practice, and temple/household worship protocols.
Correct contemplation and worship of Rāhu-Ketu with prescribed form is traditionally held to pacify graha-doṣas (afflictions) and cultivate protection (abhaya), reducing fear and obstacles attributed to nodal influences.