Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 38
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
भवद्भिः परिहर्तव्यास्तेषां नात्रास्ति संस्थितिः ये च भगवता लोके तच्चित्तास्तत्परायणाः
bhavadbhiḥ parihartavyāsteṣāṃ nātrāsti saṃsthitiḥ ye ca bhagavatā loke taccittāstatparāyaṇāḥ
उनसे तुम्हें दूर रहना चाहिए; इस मार्ग/सभा में उनका कोई स्थान नहीं। परन्तु जो लोक में भगवन् के भक्त हैं—जिनका चित्त उन्हीं में स्थित है और जो उन्हीं को एकमात्र शरण मानते हैं—वे स्वीकार्य और पूज्य हैं।
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Apply discernment in association (saṅga): avoid those hostile to bhakti; honor those fixed in Bhagavān as their refuge.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Saṅga-niyama: avoiding the hostile, honoring the Bhagavat-parāyaṇa","lookup_keywords":["sadācāra","saṅga-parihāra","vaiṣṇava-nindā","tac-citta","tat-parāyaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Avoid association with those opposed to devotion; accept and respect those whose minds are fixed on the Lord. The verse functions as a rule of conduct for devotional communities."}
Concept: Bhakti-oriented ethics of association: hostility to Bhagavān disqualifies one from the devotional path; single-pointed devotion qualifies one for acceptance.
Application: In satsanga, set norms: do not platform contempt for the deity/devotees; prioritize those practicing ananya-bhakti.
Khanda Section: Bhakti and Dharma (Sadachara / Vaishnava-Ninda-Nishedha)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotional assembly where the teacher indicates two groups: those to be avoided (hostile/derisive) and those to be honored (mind fixed on the Lord).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard satsanga, guru gesturing toward devoted Vaiṣṇavas with tilaka, while dismissing disruptive nindakas at the edge, strong narrative clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central seated ācārya with gold halo, honored devotees offering flowers, excluded figures shown respectfully at a distance, ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional scene with labeled groups (parihartavya vs tat-parāyaṇa), delicate shading, emphasis on ethical teaching","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, assembly hall with a spiritual preceptor, two clusters of listeners, refined textiles and architecture, subtle moral contrast"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परिहर्तव्यास्तेषाम् = parihartavyāḥ + teṣām; नात्रास्ति = na + atra + asti; तच्चित्ताः = tat + cittāḥ; तत्परायणाः = tat + parāyaṇāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 38 (sadācāra and bhakti norms)
FAQs
It teaches dharmic social-religious discipline: avoid association with those opposed to Bhagavān’s devotees, and recognize as worthy those whose minds are fixed on the Lord.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies ethics of devotion and community conduct—practical rules for identifying and relating to spiritually aligned persons.
Association (saṅga) shapes merit and downfall; honoring Bhagavata-oriented persons supports purification and devotion, while avoiding hostile company prevents spiritual obstruction.