Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 40
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
चतुःषट्पञ्चमाष्टादि खाछिखाद्यादि मण्डलम् खाक्षीन्दुसूर्यगं सर्वं खाक्षि चैवेन्दुवर्णनात्
catuḥṣaṭpañcamāṣṭādi khāchikhādyādi maṇḍalam khākṣīndusūryagaṃ sarvaṃ khākṣi caivenduvarṇanāt
此坛城（maṇḍala）应从数列“4、6、5、8……”起布列，并依以“khā、chi、khā……”为首之音节序列而陈设。其一切当知与月与日同运而行；而“khākṣi”之名亦由其为月之描述而得。
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Encoding/constructing a graha-related mandala using number-series and bīja/akṣara series, with lunar-solar correspondence for timing and identification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Graha-maṇḍala saṅkhyā-akṣara-krama (4-6-5-8…) and khā-chi… lunar-solar coding","lookup_keywords":["jyotiṣa-maṇḍala","saṅkhyā-krama","bīja-akṣara","candra-sūrya","khākṣi"],"quick_summary":"Construct the mandala by a prescribed numerical sequence and corresponding syllabic series; interpret the scheme through Moon–Sun motion, with specific bīja terms (e.g., khākṣi) keyed to lunar description."}
Concept: Cosmic forces (grahas) can be represented through structured correspondences—number (saṅkhyā) and sound (akṣara/bīja)—linked to lunar-solar cycles.
Application: Use coded mandalas for graha-related worship, timing, or contemplative mapping, ensuring the numeric-akṣara sequence matches the intended lunar/solar referent.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Mantra-shastra (Bija-akshara and mandala coding of grahas)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A coded astrological mandala: concentric or segmented diagram labeled with the number sequence 4-6-5-8… and bīja syllables beginning khā-chi-khā…, annotated with Moon and Sun paths and a highlighted term ‘khākṣi’ tied to the Moon.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, cosmic diagram with stylized Candra and Sūrya circling a mandala, number glyphs and bīja syllables in decorative script, deep reds/ochres, ornate celestial border motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, radiant Sun and Moon with gold leaf halos above a mandala inscribed with number and syllable series, rich blues and reds, gold detailing on the diagram lines","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical astrological chart presentation: clear segmented mandala, sequences written neatly, arrows showing lunar-solar motion, ‘khākṣi’ highlighted, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-astrologer drawing a mandala on paper with compass and ink, Sun and Moon depicted in the margin, fine calligraphy for numbers and bījas, delicate palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Marwa","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: catuḥṣaṭpañcamāṣṭādi = catuḥ-ṣaṭ-pañcama-aṣṭa-ādi; khāchikhādyādi = khāchi-khādi-ādi; khākṣīndusūryagaṃ = khākṣi-indu-sūrya-gam; caivenduvarṇanāt = ca eva indu-varṇanāt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana jyotiṣa-related passages on grahas, tithi/nakṣatra reckoning, and mantra-bīja usage in ritual diagrams (adjacent khanda context)
FAQs
It teaches a technical mandala-construction method using number-series and syllable (bīja/akṣara) series, explicitly linked to lunar and solar motion—i.e., a jyotiṣa-style mnemonic/diagrammatic encoding.
Beyond myth and devotion, it preserves specialized applied knowledge—diagrammatic (maṇḍala) layouts, akṣara-codes, and lunar–solar reckoning—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of mantra-shastra and practical jyotiṣa techniques.
By aligning a mantra/mandala system with Indu and Sūrya, the instruction frames cosmic order (ṛta) as the basis of practice; such alignment is traditionally held to support mental purity, steadiness in observance, and efficacy of rites tied to time (kāla).