Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Chapter 153 — Brahmacarya-āśrama-dharma
The Dharma of the Student Stage
मार्गवैयाध्रवास्तानि चर्माणि व्रतचारिणां पर्णपिप्पलविल्वानां क्रमाद्दण्डाः प्रकीर्तिताः
mārgavaiyādhravāstāni carmāṇi vratacāriṇāṃ parṇapippalavilvānāṃ kramāddaṇḍāḥ prakīrtitāḥ
لمن يلتزمون بالورَتَة (vrata) من العبادات والانضباط، الجلود المقررة هي جلد الظبي وجلـد النمر. ووفق الترتيب المعتبر تُعلَن العِصيّ (daṇḍa) أنها تُصنع من أخشاب palāśa (parṇa) وpippala (aśvattha) وbilva.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard frame of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guides vrata/āśrama conduct by prescribing allowable skins (āsana/ajina) and staff-woods (daṇḍa) in proper order for observants/ascetics.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vratacārin Ajina & Daṇḍa-Dravya (Mṛga/Vyāghra; Parṇa/Pippala/Bilva)","lookup_keywords":["vratacāra","ajina","mṛga-carma","vyāghra-carma","daṇḍa parṇa pippala bilva"],"quick_summary":"For religious observants, specific skins are prescribed (antelope and tiger), and staffs are to be made in sequence from palāśa (parṇa), pippala (aśvattha), and bilva woods."}
Concept: External marks of discipline (ajina, daṇḍa) are regulated to support inner restraint and āśrama identity.
Application: Choose staff-wood and ascetic accoutrements according to rule and order; maintain vrata identity without improvisation.
Khanda Section: Dharma-vidhi (Vratācāra & Saṃnyāsa/Āśrama-lakṣaṇa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vratacārin/ascetic holding a staff made from palāśa/pippala/bilva wood, seated on an antelope or tiger skin, with simple alms-bowl and restrained attire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic figure with daṇḍa and ajina, stylized forest setting with palāśa and aśvattha leaves, muted tones, serene tapas mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ascetic seated on ajina, gold work on staff tip and water-pot, symbolic palāśa/pippala/bilva leaves arranged, devotional austerity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear labeled depiction of three staff-woods and two skins as an instructional plate, fine outlines, gentle colors, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hermitage scene with detailed flora (palāśa blossoms, pippala leaves, bilva), ascetic with staff and skin-seat, delicate naturalism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वैयाध्रवास्तानि = वैयाध्र + वा + तानि; क्रमाद्दण्डाः = क्रमात् + दण्डाः (त्→द् परसवर्ण/जश्त्व)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 153 (āśrama-lakṣaṇa and vrata-ācāra context); Agni Purana sections on saṃnyāsa/brahmacarya conduct
FAQs
It specifies permitted materials for an ascetic’s ritual equipment—authorized animal hides (antelope and tiger) and the correct woods for staffs (palāśa, pippala, bilva) in a stated sequence—forming part of vratācāra/āśrama discipline.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical dharma-regulations about daily observance—down to sanctioned materials for ascetic attire and implements—illustrating the Agni Purāṇa’s catalog-like coverage of ritual law, conduct, and material prescriptions.
Using prescribed, ritually acceptable materials is treated as part of disciplined vow-keeping (vrata), supporting purity (śauca), restraint, and conformity to dharma—thereby strengthening the merit (puṇya) and efficacy of ascetic practice.