Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 32
Adhyāya 375 — समाधिः
Samādhi
ये च दानपराः सम्यगष्टाभिश् च गुणैर् युताः अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि मुनयो गृहमेधिनः
ye ca dānaparāḥ samyagaṣṭābhiś ca guṇair yutāḥ aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi munayo gṛhamedhinaḥ
And those householders who are truly devoted to dāna (giving) and endowed with the eight virtues—such persons are the eighty-eight thousand munis who live the householder life.
Lord Agni (narrating the dharma teachings, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Householder ethics: institutionalizes dana (charity) with an eight-virtue framework; guides social welfare, patronage of learning, and merit-making within grhastha life.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dana-Parayana Grhasthas as ‘Eighty-Eight Thousand’ Sages with Eight Virtues","lookup_keywords":["dana dharma","grhastha","ashta guna","grihamedhin","ashtashiti sahasra"],"quick_summary":"True householders devoted to charity and endowed with eight virtues are honored as sages in the householder stage. The teaching elevates dana as a central grhastha discipline and social support system."}
Alamkara Type: Arthantaranyasa (supporting maxim)
Concept: Grhastha life becomes rishi-like through dana supported by a stable set of virtues; merit is grounded in social responsibility.
Application: Maintain a regular giving practice (anna, vastra, vidya-support, medical aid) and cultivate the ‘eight virtues’ as a checklist for household conduct.
Khanda Section: Dana-dharma (Charity, gifts, and householders’ duties)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dignified householder couple distributing food, cloth, and coins to students, ascetics, and the needy; eight virtue emblems arranged around them like a halo of ethical qualities.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, grhastha donors in traditional attire offering dana to brahmacharis and poor, eight symbolic medallions (virtues) around, warm earthy palette and ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central charitable householder with gold-embossed ornaments, recipients seated in rows, gold leaf highlighting gifts and virtue halo, temple-arch framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau: labeled gifts (anna, vastra, suvarna) and a side panel listing eight virtues, delicate shading and fine gesso work","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard charity scene with detailed textiles and vessels, recipients of varied stations, subtle expressions of gratitude, calligraphic cartouche noting ‘ashta-guna’"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सम्यगष्टाभिश् → सम्यक् अष्टाभिः; गुणैर् → गुणैः; अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि → अष्टाशीति-सहस्राणि (dvigu).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dana-dharma chapters (types of gifts, recipients, timings); Agni Purana: Ashrama-dharma passages on grhastha duties
FAQs
It classifies exemplary gṛhamedhins as sage-like when they practice proper dāna (charitable giving) together with the ‘eight virtues’ expected of a righteous donor.
Alongside ritual and specialized sciences, the Agni Purana also systematizes social-religious ethics; this verse is part of its dharma catalog that defines ideal household conduct and the standards of meritorious giving.
It teaches that charity performed correctly and supported by virtuous character elevates a householder to the status of a muni in merit, generating puṇya and reinforcing dharmic order.