Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 24
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
मूढस्तत्रानुबध्नाति जीवितेथ चले घने यदा वित्तं न दानाय नोपभोगाय देहिनां
mūḍhastatrānubadhnāti jīvitetha cale ghane yadā vittaṃ na dānāya nopabhogāya dehināṃ
الجاهل يتعلّق بالحياة وسط تقلّبٍ وغموضٍ كثيف من عدم اليقين، حين يكون ماله لا يُصرف في الصدقة ولا في التمتّع المشروع للكائنات المتجسّدة.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Counter delusion (moha) by ensuring wealth serves either dāna (charity) or legitimate bhoga (support and lawful enjoyment); cultivate detachment and planned giving.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Moha in artha: clinging to life while wealth serves neither dāna nor bhoga","lookup_keywords":["mūḍha moha","dāna","bhoga","artha anityatā","gṛhastha nīti"],"quick_summary":"Clinging to life and hoarding wealth is folly when money is not directed to charity or rightful enjoyment; dharmic use of resources dissolves anxiety and delusion."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (implicit contrast: clinging vs. purposeless wealth)
Concept: Moha binds the jīva to fear and grasping; artha without dharma/bhoga is a cause of bondage rather than security.
Application: Practice periodic giving (monthly/seasonal dāna), set aside funds for dependents and dharmic acts, and reflect on mortality to reduce clinging.
Khanda Section: Dāna-Dharma (Ethics of Charity and Right Use of Wealth)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vairagya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A confused man clutches a money chest while storm clouds swirl; beside him, hungry dependents and a charity recipient stand ignored, illustrating wealth unused for dāna or bhoga.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic swirling clouds, central figure gripping chest, stylized anxious eyes, ignored supplicant and family at sides, lamp-lit contrast to show dharma path","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold highlights on the chest; moral tableau: miser at center, dāna scene faintly behind as missed opportunity, ornate frame emphasizing didactic theme","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition: two paths labeled ‘dāna’ and ‘bhoga’ branching from wealth; the deluded man stands stuck in the middle under dark clouds","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior with treasurer’s chest, the man clutching it; outside, beggar and relatives; atmospheric sky indicating uncertainty, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मूढस्तत्र → मूढः + तत्र; तत्रानुबध्नाति → तत्र + अनुबध्नाति; जीवितेथ → जीविते + इथ; नोपभोगाय → न + उपभोगाय.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dana-dharma teachings on dāna as purifier of artha; Agni Purana sections on vairāgya/anityatā in nīti contexts
FAQs
It teaches Dāna-dharma as practical conduct: wealth should be consciously allocated to charity (dāna) and proper maintenance/enjoyment (upabhoga), not hoarded while anxiously clinging to life.
Alongside ritual and cosmological topics, the Agni Purana also codifies ethical and social guidance—here, a compact rule on economic righteousness (use of wealth) that complements broader dharma, governance, and household duties.
Hoarded wealth unused for dāna or rightful living becomes a cause of bondage and delusion; directing wealth toward charity and proper support purifies intention and yields merit (puṇya).