Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 10
Chapter 364 — ब्रह्मवर्गः
Brahmavarga: Lexical Classification of Brahminical/Ritual Terms
ऋषयः सत्यवचसःस्नातकश्चाप्लुतव्रती ये निर्जितेन्द्रियग्रामा यतिनो यतयश् च ते
ṛṣayaḥ satyavacasaḥsnātakaścāplutavratī ye nirjitendriyagrāmā yatino yatayaś ca te
Jene ṛṣi, die wahrhaft sprechen—die als snātaka ordnungsgemäß in heiliger Disziplin vollendet sind, ungebrochene Gelübde halten und die Schar der Sinne bezwungen haben—sind wahrlich yatin, die wahrhaft ringenden Entsagenden.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, narrating Purāṇic instruction to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Provide criteria for recognizing qualified ṛṣis/yatins: truthfulness, completion of sacred discipline (snātaka), continuity of vows, and conquest of senses—useful for self-assessment and for selecting teachers/elders.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Lakṣaṇas of Ṛṣi and Yatin (Truth, Snātaka, Vows, Sense-Conquest)","lookup_keywords":["ṛṣi-lakṣaṇa","yatin","snātaka","indriya-jaya","satya-vacana"],"quick_summary":"A true ascetic-sage is marked by truthfulness, disciplined completion of sacred training, unwavering vows, and mastery over the senses."}
Concept: Spiritual authority is grounded in ethical truth and indriya-jaya (sense-conquest), not in external marks alone.
Application: Cultivate satya, keep vows unbroken, and practice sense-restraint; evaluate mentors by these stable traits rather than charisma or display.
Khanda Section: Dharma-śāstra / Āśrama-dharma (Qualifications of sages and ascetics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene forest hermitage: a truth-speaking sage sits upright with controlled senses, students nearby; symbols include a water-pot, staff, and sacred thread or simple ascetic garb indicating snātaka discipline and vows.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, forest āśrama with calm yatin, restrained posture, students listening, minimalistic ritual objects, emphasis on serenity and self-control, traditional mural borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sage with gold halo, seated on deer-skin, disciples in attendance, ornate yet devotional framing, gold work highlighting the sage’s steadiness","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic portrait of yatin with labeled virtues (satya, vrata, indriya-jaya), fine linework, soft background of hermitage","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed hermitage scene with ascetic and pupils, naturalistic trees, delicate textiles, quiet dignified mood"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्यवचसःस्नातकश्चाप्लुतव्रती = सत्यवचसः + स्नातकः + च + अप्लुतव्रती; निर्जितेन्द्रियग्रामा = निर्जित + इन्द्रियग्रामा (इन्द्रियग्रामाः) (internal sandhi: इन्द्रिय + ग्राम) ; यतयश् च = यतयः + च
Related Themes: Agni Purana: āśrama-dharma; yama–niyama section; satya and indriya-nigraha teachings
FAQs
It defines the practical qualifications for a yati: truthfulness, completion of disciplined sacred training (snātaka), unwavering vows, and mastery over the senses.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies dharma and āśrama-standards—here giving a concise criterion-list for identifying authentic ascetics and sages.
By emphasizing truth, vow-stability, and sense-conquest, the verse frames renunciation as inner purification; such restraint is presented as the basis for spiritual authority and merit-bearing conduct.