Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 3
Adhyaya 165 — नानाधर्माः
Various Dharmas
सैंहिकयो यदा सूर्यं ग्रसते पर्वसन्धिषु हस्तिच्छाया तु सा ज्ञेया श्राद्धदानादिके ऽक्ष्या
saiṃhikayo yadā sūryaṃ grasate parvasandhiṣu hasticchāyā tu sā jñeyā śrāddhadānādike 'kṣyā
当辛希迦之子罗睺在半月交界（parvan-sandhi）吞蚀太阳之时，此时应知名为“象影”；这是不坏而极具功德之机，适宜行施食祖灵的 śrāddha 及布施等善行。
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic ritual and calendrical rules to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Grahaṇa-kāla (eclipse-time) identification for scheduling śrāddha, dāna, and other rites at parvan-sandhi; recognizing the special muhūrta termed 'hastichāyā' for heightened ritual efficacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Hastichāyā (Elephant-shadow) Grahaṇa-kāla for Śrāddha and Dāna","lookup_keywords":["hastichāyā","grahaṇa-vidhi","parvan-sandhi","śrāddha-kāla","Rāhu (Saimhikeya)"],"quick_summary":"When Rāhu eclipses the Sun at the junction of lunar fortnight divisions (parvan-sandhi), that interval is designated 'hastichāyā' and is treated as an exceptionally efficacious time for śrāddha and charitable giving."}
Concept: Kāla-viśeṣa (special time) amplifies karma-phala in śrāddha and dāna; cosmic events are integrated into dharma-prayoga.
Application: Use eclipse-at-parvan-sandhi as a high-priority window for pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha and dāna, observing local dharma rules for purity and conduct during grahaṇa.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Ritual Timing (Grahaṇa-vidhi / Śrāddha-kāla-nirṇaya)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solar eclipse with Rāhu swallowing the Sun at parvan-sandhi; below, householders and priests perform śrāddha and distribute dāna, with the motif of an 'elephant-shadow' cast across the ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, dramatic grahaṇa: darkened sky, stylized Rāhu eclipsing Sūrya, priests in white performing śrāddha with piṇḍa and water libations, bold flat colors, ornate borders, sacred austerity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf: radiant Sūrya partially covered by Rāhu, haloed figures of pitṛs receiving offerings, richly ornamented vessels for dāna, gold highlights on eclipse disc and ritual implements.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: labeled parvan-sandhi moment, eclipse disc diagram above, below a clean depiction of śrāddha setup (piṇḍa, darbha, water pot), soft shading and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly patron giving dāna during eclipse, astronomer-priest indicating the eclipsed Sun, detailed landscape with long shadows suggesting 'hastichāyā', fine brushwork and naturalistic faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सैंहिकयो→सैंहिकया (तृतीया एकवचन); हasticchāyā as हस्ति+छाया; parvasandhiṣu as पर्व+सन्धि; 'कṣyā interpreted as अक्ष्या (अ+क्ष्या) with avagraha indicating elision after -e.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Grahaṇa-vidhi sections; Agni Purana: Śrāddha-kāla-nirṇaya passages
FAQs
It identifies a specific eclipse-timing marker—Rāhu’s solar eclipse occurring at parvan junctions—calling it “hasti-chhāyā,” and states it is especially effective for performing śrāddha and giving dāna with akṣaya (inexhaustible) merit.
By combining astronomical/astrological classification (grahaṇa and parvan-sandhi) with applied dharma (when to perform śrāddha and charity), it exemplifies how the Agni Purāṇa integrates Jyotiṣa with ritual law and merit-calculus.
Acts like śrāddha and dāna performed at this eclipse-junction are said to yield akṣaya-phala—merit that does not diminish—thereby strengthening ancestral rites and purification through exceptionally potent timing.