Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 4
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
उपेक्षको ऽसिञ्चयिको मुनिर्ज्ञानसमन्वितः कपालं वृक्षमूलञ्च कुचेलमसहायाता
upekṣako 'siñcayiko munirjñānasamanvitaḥ kapālaṃ vṛkṣamūlañca kucelamasahāyātā
वह मुनि संसार से उदासीन, संचय न करने वाला और सच्चे ज्ञान से युक्त हो; कपाल-पात्र धारण करे, वृक्ष-मूल में रहे, फटे वस्त्र पहने और किसी पर आश्रित हुए बिना विचरे।
Lord Agni (teaching the discipline of dharma/renunciation)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Defines external marks and lifestyle disciplines of a sannyasin (non-possessiveness, homelessness, minimal requisites) to support renunciation and reduce social/mental entanglement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sannyasin-lakshana: aparigraha and minimal requisites","lookup_keywords":["sannyasa-lakshana","aparigraha","kapala-bhajana","vriksha-mula-vasati","kaupina-kucela"],"quick_summary":"A renunciant is characterized by indifference, non-accumulation, and jnana, living with minimal supports (skull-bowl, tree-root dwelling, rags, no dependence). The entry functions as a checklist for authentic ascetic conduct."}
Concept: Aparigraha and asahaya (non-dependence) as supports for jnana and vairagya.
Application: Reduce possessions, social reliance, and sensory comforts to stabilize equanimity and contemplative insight.
Khanda Section: Dharma–Sannyasa–Yoga (Ascetic disciplines and marks of renunciation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vairagya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solitary muni with a skull-bowl, wearing tattered cloth, seated or standing beneath a large tree at its roots, carrying minimal belongings and moving without attendants.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, a serene sannyasin under a banyan tree, kapala in hand, sparse background, calm facial expression, stylized foliage and sacred aura.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ascetic figure with subtle halo, gold leaf highlights on the tree canopy and border, kapala-bowl and ragged cloth rendered with ornate yet restrained detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, soft shading, instructional feel: label-like depiction of kapala, tree-root dwelling, and minimal cloth; muted palette, contemplative posture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine brushwork: a wandering faqir-like sannyasin with kapala near a tree, detailed landscape with minimal attendants (none), subdued courtly palette adapted to ascetic theme."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उपेक्षकोऽसिञ्चयिको = उपेक्षकः + असिञ्चयिकः; मुनिर्ज्ञानसमन्वितः = मुनिः + ज्ञानसमन्वितः; वृक्षमूलञ्च = वृक्षमूलम् + च; कुचेलमसहायाता = कुचेलम् + असहायः + आत्मा (अन्तिमपद-लिप्यन्तर/पाठभेद सम्भव)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Sadacara/Acara sections on yati-dharma and bhiksha-vidhi (same khanda cluster); Agni Purana: Moksha-dharma passages on jnana-vairagya
FAQs
It outlines sannyāsa-vidhi in practice—key ascetic markers such as aparigraha (non-accumulation), indifference to worldly dualities, and the external emblems of a renunciate (kapāla, tree-root dwelling, rag-cloth, independence).
Alongside rituals and other sciences, the Agni Purana systematizes dharma by cataloging the observable traits and disciplines of renunciation, functioning like a handbook entry on sannyāsa conduct.
By prescribing non-attachment and non-hoarding with a life of simplicity, it directs the aspirant toward purification of karma and steadying of knowledge (jñāna) through reduced dependence and diminished desire.