Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 18
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
तिथिवारर्क्षसङ्क्रान्तियोगमन्वादिकालके ब्रतादि सूर्येशशक्तिश्रीशादेरघघातनं
tithivārarkṣasaṅkrāntiyogamanvādikālake bratādi sūryeśaśaktiśrīśāderaghaghātanaṃ
เมื่อประกอบพรตและพิธีกรรมต่าง ๆ ในกาลอันกำหนดด้วยติติ (วันจันทรคติ), วาร (วันในสัปดาห์), นักษัตร, สังกรานติ และโยค ตลอดจนกาลศักดิ์สิทธิ์อย่างมันวาทิ ย่อมเป็นเหตุทำลายบาป โดยอานุภาพการบูชาพระสุริยะ พระอีศะ (ศิวะ) พระศักติ พระศรีศะ (วิษณุ) และอื่น ๆ
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Selecting auspicious ritual windows (tithi–vāra–nakṣatra–saṅkrānti–yoga; Manvādi) to schedule vratas and pūjā for maximum dharmic merit and pāpa-kṣaya.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vrata-kāla-nirṇaya by tithi–vāra–nakṣatra–saṅkrānti–yoga (with Manvādi)","lookup_keywords":["tithi","vāra","nakṣatra","saṅkrānti","yoga"],"quick_summary":"Vratas and allied rites gain special sin-destroying efficacy when performed at properly determined calendrical junctions, especially when directed to Sūrya, Śiva, Śakti, and Viṣṇu."}
Concept: Kāla (sacred time) conditions the fruit of karma; properly timed worship accelerates pāpa-kṣaya.
Application: Use pañcāṅga factors (tithi, vāra, nakṣatra, yoga, saṅkrānti) and Manvādi days to plan vratas/pūjā to Sūrya–Śiva–Śakti–Viṣṇu.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi and Vrata-kala-nirnaya (Ritual timing: tithi-vāra-nakṣatra-saṅkrānti-yoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual calendar scene: a priest and householder consult a pañcāṅga (tithi–vāra–nakṣatra–yoga–saṅkrānti) and perform a timed vrata-pūjā before icons of Sūrya, Śiva, Śakti, and Viṣṇu, with rays of light symbolizing pāpa-kṣaya.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors; a pañcāṅga palm-leaf manuscript in the priest’s hand; Sūrya with halo, Śiva with matted locks, Devī with lotus, Viṣṇu with śaṅkha-cakra; ritual fire and offerings; sacred time motifs (moon phases, nakṣatra stars) in the border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf: central quartet of deities (Sūrya, Śiva, Śakti, Viṣṇu) above; below, devotee performing vrata with kalasha and lamps; ornate arch, heavy jewelry, embossed gold for halos and ornaments; small pañcāṅga symbols around.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework: instructional composition showing pañcāṅga factors labeled (tithi, vāra, nakṣatra, yoga, saṅkrānti); priest indicating the correct time; neat ritual implements (ghṛta lamp, flowers, water pot).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly scholar-priest consulting an illustrated calendar; precise star map and lunar disc; devotees at a small shrine; fine architectural details; subdued palette with intricate margins depicting nakṣatra constellations."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tithivārarkṣasaṅkrāntiyogamanvādikālake = tithi-vāra-ṛkṣa-saṅkrānti-yoga-anvādi-kālake; sūryeśaśaktiśrīśāder = sūrya-īśa-śakti-śrīśa-ādeḥ; araghaghātanaṃ read as agha-ghātanam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: vrata-kāla-nirṇaya sections; Agni Purana: pūjā-vidhi sections; Agni Purana: Sūrya/Śiva/Śakti/Viṣṇu-stotra and arcana materials
FAQs
It teaches kāla-nirṇaya (ritual time-determination): selecting vrata and worship times using tithi, weekday, nakṣatra, saṅkrānti, yoga, and Manvādi-type sacred occasions to maximize merit and purification.
It integrates Jyotiṣa (calendar astronomy/astrology) with practical dharma—showing how cosmological time-units govern vrata, pūjā, and religious efficacy—illustrating the text’s cross-disciplinary, manual-like scope.
Properly timed observances and deity-worship (Sūrya, Śiva, Devī, Viṣṇu, etc.) are said to function as agha-ghātana—destroying accumulated sin and supporting purification and auspicious outcomes.