Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 23
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
समाचरेदिति ख , छ च दयास्तेयमिति ङ त्रिदण्डी चेति ङ पद्मकाद्यासनं महत् इति ट रेचनाद्रेचकः प्रोक्तो मात्राभेदेन च त्रिधा द्वादशात्तु चतुर्विंशः षट्त्रिंशन्मात्रिको ऽपरः
samācarediti kha , cha ca dayāsteyamiti ṅa tridaṇḍī ceti ṅa padmakādyāsanaṃ mahat iti ṭa recanādrecakaḥ prokto mātrābhedena ca tridhā dvādaśāttu caturviṃśaḥ ṣaṭtriṃśanmātriko 'paraḥ
“Debe practicarse (esto),” según las lecturas kha/cha; “dayā (compasión) y asteya (no robar),” según la lectura ṅa; y “el asceta portador del triple báculo (tridaṇḍin),” también según ṅa; y “la gran postura que comienza con padmaka (asiento de loto),” según la lectura ṭa. Del término recana (“expulsión”) se define recaka (exhalación). Por diferencia de mātrā (unidades de tiempo), es de tres clases: de 12 mātrā, de 24 mātrā y otra de 36 mātrā.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Text-critical and definitional clarifications: variant readings for ethical terms and sannyasa markers; derivation of ‘recaka’ and practical timing (mātrā) gradations for pranayama.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Recaka Nirukti and Mātrā-bheda (12–24–36) with Variant Readings","lookup_keywords":["recaka","recana","matra","variant reading","tridandi"],"quick_summary":"The verse preserves scholastic notes: compassion/asteya and tridaṇḍin readings, defines recaka from ‘recana’ (expulsion), and standardizes three timing measures for practice."}
Concept: Yoga practice is supported by precise terminology (nirukti) and measurable regimen (mātrā); dharma terms are stabilized through careful reading traditions.
Application: Use consistent counts for breath phases; progress from 12 to 24 to 36 mātrās only when effortless; keep ethical foundations (dayā/asteya) alongside technique.
Khanda Section: Yoga / Pranayama and Ascetic Discipline (Sannyasa-vidhi, Yama-Niyama, Asana, Pranayama)
Primary Rasa: jnana
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-sage instructs disciples with a palm-leaf manuscript showing variant readings; beside them a simple counting device (beads/marks) illustrates 12-24-36 mātrā breath measures and the term ‘recaka’ derived from ‘recana’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru with palm-leaf manuscript, disciples seated, stylized script lines, three grouped tally marks (12/24/36), calm scholastic ambience, earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru and disciples with gold-highlighted manuscript edges, three gold medallions labeled 12/24/36 mātrā, ornate border, devotional-scholastic mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style didactic scene, clear manuscript with highlighted words recana/recaka, counting beads, three step ladder diagram for mātrā progression, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like veranda with Sanskrit pandit, students, manuscript folios, marginal notes indicating variant readings, small cartouches for 12-24-36 counts"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दयास्तेयम् → दया + अस्तेयम्; चेति → च + इति; रेचनाद्रेचकः → रेचनात् + रेचकः; मात्राभेदेन → मात्रा + भेदेन; द्वादशात्तु → द्वादशात् + तु; षट्त्रिंशन्मात्रिकोऽपरः → षट्त्रिंशन्मात्रिकः + अपरः (ऽ-लोप/अवग्रह)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 161.19-22 (yama-niyama-āsana-prāṇāyāma sequence)
FAQs
It defines recaka (controlled exhalation) and classifies it into three timed measures—12, 24, and 36 mātrās—alongside associated yogic discipline (compassion, non-stealing) and seated postures like padmāsana.
It preserves precise yoga-technical terminology (recaka, mātrā), ethical restraints (dayā, asteya), ascetic identifiers (tridaṇḍin), and posture prescriptions—showing the text’s coverage of practical yogic science alongside dharma and renunciation.
Measured breath-discipline supported by ethical restraints is presented as a purificatory practice: it steadies the mind, supports self-control, and aids the ascetic path toward inner clarity and spiritual merit.