Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 40
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
अंशात् प्रान्ते युगांशैश् च त्वेकाहान्यामृताक्षकं पूर्णबालेन्दुकुमुदं द्वित्रिवेदक्षयात् क्रमात्
aṃśāt prānte yugāṃśaiś ca tvekāhānyāmṛtākṣakaṃ pūrṇabālendukumudaṃ dvitrivedakṣayāt kramāt
เมื่อถึงปลายองศา และด้วยเศษส่วนแห่งยุค พึงคำนวณความเพิ่มขึ้นหนึ่งวัน (เอกาหะ); ด้วยนั้นจึงได้การนับอันเป็นมงคลชื่อ ‘อมฤตากษก’. ภาวะจันทร์เต็มดวง จันทร์อ่อน และจันทร์ดุจดอกกุมุท ย่อมกำหนดตามลำดับด้วยการลดลงทีละขั้นของสองและสาม ‘เวท’ (นับเป็นชุดละสี่) อย่างเป็นลำดับ.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Calendrical computation of daily increments and lunar states (full/young/moon-lotus phases) using degree endpoints and yuga-fraction arithmetic for ritual timing and observances.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ekāha increment and lunar-state determination by aṃśa and yuga-aṃśa","lookup_keywords":["ekāha","aṃśa","yuga-aṃśa","pūrṇa-candra","tithi-calculation"],"quick_summary":"Gives a rule to compute a one-day increment from degree endpoints and yuga-fractions, then indicates an ordered determination of lunar conditions via stepwise reductions in fixed quanta."}
Concept: Ritual correctness depends on measurable time; cosmic order is accessed through computation (gaṇita) and observation.
Application: Pañcāṅga-making and selecting auspicious days for vrata, pūjā, and saṃskāras.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha (Astronomical/Calendrical Computation and Time-Reckoning)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An astronomer-priest computing daily increments on a palm-leaf, with a circular zodiac (aṃśa divisions) and a moon-phase wheel showing full, young, and lotus-like states in sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, night-sky panel with stylized grahas; a jyotiṣi with palm-leaf and stylus; zodiac ring with degree marks; moon phases arranged as a garland.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate circular yantra-like zodiac with gold work; central moon disc in three states; a seated jyotiṣi offering a pañcāṅga to a patron.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic diagram: degree arc (aṃśa), yuga-fraction notation, stepwise reduction blocks labeled ‘2’ and ‘3’ vedas; clean lines and captions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, observatory terrace scene with instruments and manuscript tables; moon phases painted in margins; refined architectural setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: युगांशैश् = युगांशैः + च (visarga sandhi); त्वेकाहानि = तु + एकाहानि; एकाहानि = एक + अहानि; अहान्यामृताक्षकं = अहानि + अमृताक्षकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (jyotiṣa subsection around time-reckoning)
FAQs
It teaches a Jyotiṣa-style computational rule: using degrees (aṃśa), yuga-fractions, and day-increments (ekāha) to derive ordered lunar states (full/young moon, etc.) via stepwise reductions (kṣaya) expressed with word-numerals (veda = 4).
Beyond theology, it preserves technical calendrical/astronomical methods—showing the Agni Purana as a compendium that includes practical Jyotiṣa computation alongside ritual and philosophical material.
Accurate lunar/time reckoning supports correct timing of vows, fasts, and rites; performing observances at properly computed tithis and lunar conditions is traditionally held to increase ritual efficacy and merit (puṇya).