Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 8
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
विधूमे न्यस्तमुषले व्यङ्गारे भुक्तवज्जने वृत्ते शरावसम्पाते भिक्षां नित्यं यतिश् चरेत्
vidhūme nyastamuṣale vyaṅgāre bhuktavajjane vṛtte śarāvasampāte bhikṣāṃ nityaṃ yatiś caret
Le renonçant doit aller chaque jour quêter l’aumône seulement lorsque (dans la maison) il n’y a plus de fumée (c’est-à-dire la cuisson achevée), que le pilon est posé, que les braises sont refroidies, que les gens ont mangé et que le cliquetis de la vaisselle a cessé.
Lord Agni (narrating) to sage Vasiṣṭha (traditional Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Bhiksha protocol for renunciants to avoid burdening householders and to ensure alms are sought only after the family has finished cooking and eating; reduces social friction and supports humility.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhiksha-vidhi: timing alms after household completion","lookup_keywords":["bhiksha-vidhi","yati-bhiksha","vidhuma","ushala-nyasta","vyangara-shita"],"quick_summary":"A renunciant should seek alms only after cooking is done—no smoke, pestle set down, embers cooled, people have eaten, and dish-noise has ceased. This preserves household order and embodies non-imposition."}
Concept: Bhiksha as disciplined dependence: accept sustenance without causing inconvenience; cultivate humility and minimize claims on others’ labor.
Application: Time requests so they do not interrupt cooking/eating; accept what is available without preference, reinforcing contentment (santoṣa) and non-attachment.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Yati-dharma / Bhiksha-vidhi for renunciants)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharmya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A renunciant stands quietly outside a house after the meal: no smoke from the kitchen, pestle resting, cold hearth embers, family finishing eating; the clatter of dishes has stopped before he receives alms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic courtyard scene: cooled hearth with faint ash, pestle set aside, family seated after meal; yati waits respectfully at a distance, muted colors and clear narrative sequencing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, householder offering a small portion of food to a waiting yati; gold detailing on vessels and doorway, emphasis on respectful distance and completed meal setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau: five cues shown clearly—no smoke, pestle down, cold embers, eaten household, silent dishes—yati approaching only after; fine linework and calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed kitchen courtyard: hearth, utensils, family post-meal; yati at threshold with bowl, subtle gesture of waiting, intricate architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Sahana","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: न्यस्तमुषले = न्यस्त + मुषले; भुक्तवज्जने = भुक्तवत् + जने; यतिश् चरेत् = यतिः + चरेत् (विसर्ग-सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: adjacent yati-dharma and śauca rules (161.4–161.7) forming a coherent renunciant code
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for a yati’s bhikṣā: approach households only after cooking and eating are finished, minimizing disturbance and avoiding appearing to demand fresh preparation.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied dharma—fine-grained social regulations governing ascetic–householder interaction, showing its coverage of ethics and daily-life law.
By taking alms without causing inconvenience or prompting new cooking, the renunciant practices non-harm and humility, supporting purity of livelihood and reducing karmic entanglement for both giver and receiver.