Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 10
Chapter 364 — ब्रह्मवर्गः
Brahmavarga: Lexical Classification of Brahminical/Ritual Terms
ऋषयः सत्यवचसःस्नातकश्चाप्लुतव्रती ये निर्जितेन्द्रियग्रामा यतिनो यतयश् च ते
ṛṣayaḥ satyavacasaḥsnātakaścāplutavratī ye nirjitendriyagrāmā yatino yatayaś ca te
જે ઋષિઓ સત્યવચન છે, જે સ્નાતક (વિધિવત્ દીક્ષા-સમાપ્ત) છે, જે અખંડ વ્રત પાળે છે, અને જેમણે ઇન્દ્રિયસમૂહને જીત્યો છે—તેઓ જ ખરેખર યતિ, સચ્ચા પ્રયત્નશીલ સંન્યાસી છે.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, narrating Purāṇic instruction to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Provide criteria for recognizing qualified ṛṣis/yatins: truthfulness, completion of sacred discipline (snātaka), continuity of vows, and conquest of senses—useful for self-assessment and for selecting teachers/elders.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Lakṣaṇas of Ṛṣi and Yatin (Truth, Snātaka, Vows, Sense-Conquest)","lookup_keywords":["ṛṣi-lakṣaṇa","yatin","snātaka","indriya-jaya","satya-vacana"],"quick_summary":"A true ascetic-sage is marked by truthfulness, disciplined completion of sacred training, unwavering vows, and mastery over the senses."}
Concept: Spiritual authority is grounded in ethical truth and indriya-jaya (sense-conquest), not in external marks alone.
Application: Cultivate satya, keep vows unbroken, and practice sense-restraint; evaluate mentors by these stable traits rather than charisma or display.
Khanda Section: Dharma-śāstra / Āśrama-dharma (Qualifications of sages and ascetics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene forest hermitage: a truth-speaking sage sits upright with controlled senses, students nearby; symbols include a water-pot, staff, and sacred thread or simple ascetic garb indicating snātaka discipline and vows.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, forest āśrama with calm yatin, restrained posture, students listening, minimalistic ritual objects, emphasis on serenity and self-control, traditional mural borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sage with gold halo, seated on deer-skin, disciples in attendance, ornate yet devotional framing, gold work highlighting the sage’s steadiness","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic portrait of yatin with labeled virtues (satya, vrata, indriya-jaya), fine linework, soft background of hermitage","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed hermitage scene with ascetic and pupils, naturalistic trees, delicate textiles, quiet dignified mood"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्यवचसःस्नातकश्चाप्लुतव्रती = सत्यवचसः + स्नातकः + च + अप्लुतव्रती; निर्जितेन्द्रियग्रामा = निर्जित + इन्द्रियग्रामा (इन्द्रियग्रामाः) (internal sandhi: इन्द्रिय + ग्राम) ; यतयश् च = यतयः + च
Related Themes: Agni Purana: āśrama-dharma; yama–niyama section; satya and indriya-nigraha teachings
FAQs
It defines the practical qualifications for a yati: truthfulness, completion of disciplined sacred training (snātaka), unwavering vows, and mastery over the senses.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies dharma and āśrama-standards—here giving a concise criterion-list for identifying authentic ascetics and sages.
By emphasizing truth, vow-stability, and sense-conquest, the verse frames renunciation as inner purification; such restraint is presented as the basis for spiritual authority and merit-bearing conduct.