Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
मधूकरमसङ्क्लिप्तं प्राक्प्रणीतमयाचितं तात्कालिकञ्चोपपन्नं भैक्षं पञ्चविधं स्मृतं
madhūkaramasaṅkliptaṃ prākpraṇītamayācitaṃ tātkālikañcopapannaṃ bhaikṣaṃ pañcavidhaṃ smṛtaṃ
ભૈક્ષ (ભિક્ષા) પાંચવિધ સ્મૃત છે—મધૂકરવત્, અસંક્લિષ્ટ (અસંચિત), પ્રાક્પ્રણીત, અયાચિત, તથા તાત્કાલિક અને ઉપપન્ન (યોગ્ય સમયે યોગ્ય રીતે પ્રાપ્ત)।
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Guidelines for mendicant livelihood: selecting ethically acceptable modes of receiving food/alms without hoarding, coercion, or impropriety.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Bhaikṣa (Alms) — Fivefold Classification","lookup_keywords":["bhaiksha","madhukara","ayacita","prākpraṇīta","tātkālika-upapanna"],"quick_summary":"Defines five legitimate modes of alms for a bhikṣu/renunciant, emphasizing non-accumulation, non-solicitation, and timely, fitting receipt."}
Concept: Purity of means in sustenance: dharmic livelihood is defined by non-attachment, non-violence, and propriety in receiving.
Application: Adopt minimalism: accept only what is offered appropriately, avoid storing food, and avoid pressuring householders.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Bhiksha-vidhi (Rules of alms and mendicant livelihood)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm ascetic receiving small portions of food from multiple houses like a bee gathering nectar, carrying no store, accepting only timely offerings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: serene saffron-clad mendicant with palm-leaf bowl, village houses in the background, donors offering small handfuls of rice, flat warm colors, temple-mural linework.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central ascetic with halo-like aureole, stylized donors at sides, gold-leaf highlights on vessels and borders, emphasis on auspicious restraint and simplicity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional tableau showing five labeled modes of alms (madhūkara, asaṅklipta, prākpraṇīta, ayācita, tātkālika/upapanna), delicate shading, clean composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed street scene with an ascetic visiting several doorways, each giving a small portion; fine textiles, architectural detail, subdued palette, narrative sequencing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राक्प्रणीतम् = प्राक् + प्रणीतम्; तात्कालिकञ्चोपपन्नम् = तात्कालिकम् + च + उपपन्नम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Bhikṣā-vidhi and Sannyāsa/Āśrama-dharma sections (adjacent to 161.10–161.13)
FAQs
It classifies bhaikṣa (alms-food) into five recognized modes—bee-like collection, untainted/unhoarded, previously set aside, unsolicited, and timely/proper—guiding how a renunciant should receive sustenance without breaching dharma.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical dharma norms—here, a technical taxonomy of alms—showing its compendium-like coverage of social ethics and ascetic discipline.
By favoring unsolicited, pure, and properly obtained alms, the verse promotes non-attachment and restraint, minimizing harm and ethical compromise—key conditions for purification and steady spiritual practice.