Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 18
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
स्नानभोजनकाले च पट्सु मौनं समाचरेत् पुनर्दानं पृथक्पानमाज्येन यपसा निशि
snānabhojanakāle ca paṭsu maunaṃ samācaret punardānaṃ pṛthakpānamājyena yapasā niśi
Zur Zeit des Badens und zur Zeit des Essens sowie beim Tragen der vorgeschriebenen Gewänder soll man mauna (Schweigen) üben. Ferner soll man eine weitere Gabe darbringen; und man soll getrennt trinken—nachts—mit Ghee, zusammen mit der Observanz namens yapas.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Implement daily observances: silence during bathing/eating/when wearing prescribed cloth; perform additional giving; follow a night regimen involving separate drinking with ghee and the yapas observance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Daily observances: mauna at snāna/bhojana/vastra; dāna; night ghee-drink with yapas","lookup_keywords":["Mauna","Snana-kala","Bhojana-kala","Ajya-pana","Yapas"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes disciplined silence at key daily moments, encourages supplementary charity, and notes a specific nocturnal regimen of separate intake with ghee linked to a vow/observance (yapas)."}
Concept: Discipline of speech (mauna), regulated consumption, and dāna as practical sādhanā embedded in daily life.
Application: Create a daily rule-set: keep silence during bathing and meals, wear prescribed clean cloth mindfully, set aside regular charity, and follow night dietary observances when undertaking vows.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Achara-vidhi (Rules of Conduct and Daily Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined householder: bathing quietly at a water source, eating in silence on a leaf-plate, donning clean cloth, giving alms to a needy person, and at night taking a small measured portion of ghee separately as part of a vow (yapas).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, calm domestic-ritual sequence with muted tones: silent bath by a pond, quiet meal, clean cloth drape, alms-giving, night scene with lamp and small bowl of ghee, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central seated figure at a silent meal with gold accents on lamp and vessels, side vignette of dāna with gold highlights, night ghee-drink scene with rich dark background and embossed gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step instructional panels labeled snāna, bhojana, vastra, dāna, niśi-ajya-pāna (yapas), precise depiction of utensils and posture, soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined household interior: figure eating quietly, attendant presenting clean cloth, charitable giving at doorway, night lamp-lit scene with small ghee cup, intricate architectural details and floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्नान+भोजन+काले → स्नानभोजनकाले; पुनः+दानम् → पुनर्दानम्; पृथक्+पानम्+आज्येन → पृथक्पानमाज्येन
Related Themes: Agni Purana 166 (ācāra-vidhi: mauna, dāna, niśi-niyama)
FAQs
It prescribes achara (conduct): observing silence during bathing and meals, maintaining discipline with clothing/ritual propriety, performing additional charity (dāna), and a regulated night-time intake involving ghee as part of a vow-like observance (yapas).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs practical dharma topics—daily regimen, vows, purity rules, and charitable acts—showing its compendium-like coverage of lived religious practice.
Silence and regulated conduct cultivate self-restraint (saṃyama) and purity, while dāna accrues merit (puṇya); together they support ritual efficacy and ethical purification in daily life.