Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
शुद्धभावश् चरेद्भर्मं यत्र तत्राश्रमे रतः समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु न लिङ्गं धर्मकारणं
śuddhabhāvaś caredbharmaṃ yatra tatrāśrame rataḥ samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu na liṅgaṃ dharmakāraṇaṃ
শুদ্ধ ভাব নিয়ে ধর্মাচরণ করবে; যেখানে-সেখানে থাকলেও নিজ আশ্রম-ধর্মে রত থাকবে। সকল ভূতে সমদৃষ্টি রাখবে; বাহ্য লিঙ্গমাত্রই ধর্মের কারণ নয়।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the seer—commonly transmitted as Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Ethical living focused on inner purity and equanimity rather than external religious markers; consistent āśrama-discipline wherever one resides.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dharma Beyond External Insignia (Liṅga)","lookup_keywords":["śuddha-bhāva","āśrama-dharma","samatā","liṅga","sadācāra"],"quick_summary":"Teaches that dharma is grounded in purified intention and equal regard for beings; external signs alone do not generate righteousness."}
Concept: Primacy of inner disposition (bhāva-śuddhi) and universal equality (samatā) over external identifiers; dharma as lived discipline, not costume.
Application: Reduce performative religiosity; maintain vows and ethical conduct consistently; cultivate impartiality toward all beings in daily interactions.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Sadachara (Dharma-śāstra: conduct beyond external marks)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A renunciant or disciplined householder practicing calm, equal-minded conduct among diverse beings, with external marks deemphasized and inner radiance suggested.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: central figure with serene face and minimal insignia, surrounded by animals and people of varied status, all treated equally; symbolic white lotus for śuddha-bhāva.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: figure seated in meditative poise, gold halo indicating inner purity; surrounding vignettes of compassionate acts toward all beings; ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional scene showing ‘liṅga’ (external marks) set aside while the figure performs āśrama duties (study, service, restraint); clean, diagram-like clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court-and-forest composite where the protagonist behaves identically with king, servant, and animals; subtle emphasis on expression and gesture over costume."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुद्धभावश् = शुद्धभावः + (visarga sandhi before c); चरेद्भर्मम् = चरेत् + भर्मम्; तत्राश्रमे = तत्र + आश्रमे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: āśrama-dharma and sadācāra discussions around 161.9–161.13
FAQs
It teaches dharma-vidyā in the form of sadācāra: practice grounded in inner purity, steady āśrama-discipline, and impartiality—rather than reliance on external sectarian or ascetic insignia.
Alongside rituals, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies normative ethics: it defines dharma through psychological disposition (bhāva), social-religious structure (āśrama), and universal compassion—showing its broad, law-and-conduct dimension.
It redirects merit from outward identity to inner purification and equal regard for beings, implying that karmic fruit arises primarily from intention, disciplined living, and non-discriminatory conduct.