Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Purification Concerning the Unsanctified
Asaṃskṛta) and Related Cases (असंस्कृतादिशौचम्
न हि प्रतीक्षते मृत्युः कृतः वास्य न वा कृतं क्षेत्रापणगृहासक्तमन्यत्रगतमानसं
na hi pratīkṣate mṛtyuḥ kṛtaḥ vāsya na vā kṛtaṃ kṣetrāpaṇagṛhāsaktamanyatragatamānasaṃ
Death does not wait—whether one’s tasks are done or not—for the person attached to fields, markets, and houses, whose mind wanders elsewhere.
Lord Agni (in the standard Agni Purana dialogue, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Cultivate detachment and prioritize dharma/sadhana over endless worldly projects, remembering mortality in daily decision-making (e.g., simplify possessions, complete essential duties, practice dana and japa now).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Mṛtyu-anapekṣā (Death does not wait for unfinished worldly tasks)","lookup_keywords":["mṛtyu","anityatā","gṛhāsakti","kṣetra-āpaṇa","vairāgya"],"quick_summary":"Death does not postpone itself for unfinished work; excessive attachment to property and commerce is spiritually risky. Use the reminder of mortality to reduce clinging and act on dharma promptly."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa (supporting maxim)
Concept: Anityatā and vairāgya: death is independent of human plans; attachment (āsakti) binds the mind away from the essential.
Application: Daily memento-mori reflection; reduce acquisitiveness; schedule time for svādhyāya, japa, and service before expanding worldly commitments.
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Vairāgya (Ethics on impermanence and detachment)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder surrounded by fields, a market-stall, and a house, while Death approaches unseen; the man’s mind is shown wandering away from the present moment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: a gṛhastha with kṣetra (paddy fields), āpaṇa (market), and gṛha behind him; Yama/Mṛtyu approaching with subdued palette, bold outlines, temple-mural composition, calm yet ominous śānta-bhayānaka mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central figure of a householder with symbolic miniatures of field, market, and house; gilded halo-like motif around a dark Mṛtyu figure in the background; rich reds and gold leaf emphasizing impermanence.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: instructional nīti tableau—labels for kṣetra/āpaṇa/gṛha; delicate lines, soft shading; Death as a subtle shadow at the edge; contemplative expression on the man.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed bazaar and homestead scene; a man counting goods while a skeletal/black-clad Mṛtyu figure enters; fine architectural detail, muted sky, moralizing caption-like feel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vāsya interpreted as vā + asya. kṣetrāpaṇagṛhāsaktamanyatragatamānasaṃ resolved as kṣetra-āpaṇa-gṛha-āsaktam + anyatra-gata-mānasaṃ (compound treated as a single accusative neuter qualifier).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Nīti/Vairāgya section (same adhyāya cluster around 159.9–159.13)
FAQs
It imparts nīti (practical ethics): cultivate urgency and detachment because death is unpredictable and does not wait for worldly affairs (property, trade, household) to be completed.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves concise ethical instruction—here, a nīti-style maxim on impermanence and the dangers of obsession with economic and domestic pursuits.
It warns that clinging to possessions and distraction of mind obstruct dharma and spiritual readiness; remembering death supports right priorities, timely practice, and reduced attachment-driven karma.