Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Chapter 153 — Brahmacarya-āśrama-dharma
The Dharma of the Student Stage
मार्गवैयाध्रवास्तानि चर्माणि व्रतचारिणां पर्णपिप्पलविल्वानां क्रमाद्दण्डाः प्रकीर्तिताः
mārgavaiyādhravāstāni carmāṇi vratacāriṇāṃ parṇapippalavilvānāṃ kramāddaṇḍāḥ prakīrtitāḥ
戒行（vrata）を修する者に定められる皮は、羚羊の皮と虎の皮である。さらに順序に従い、杖（daṇḍa）は palāśa（parṇa）、pippala（aśvattha）、bilva の木から作ると説かれる。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard frame of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guides vrata/āśrama conduct by prescribing allowable skins (āsana/ajina) and staff-woods (daṇḍa) in proper order for observants/ascetics.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vratacārin Ajina & Daṇḍa-Dravya (Mṛga/Vyāghra; Parṇa/Pippala/Bilva)","lookup_keywords":["vratacāra","ajina","mṛga-carma","vyāghra-carma","daṇḍa parṇa pippala bilva"],"quick_summary":"For religious observants, specific skins are prescribed (antelope and tiger), and staffs are to be made in sequence from palāśa (parṇa), pippala (aśvattha), and bilva woods."}
Concept: External marks of discipline (ajina, daṇḍa) are regulated to support inner restraint and āśrama identity.
Application: Choose staff-wood and ascetic accoutrements according to rule and order; maintain vrata identity without improvisation.
Khanda Section: Dharma-vidhi (Vratācāra & Saṃnyāsa/Āśrama-lakṣaṇa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vratacārin/ascetic holding a staff made from palāśa/pippala/bilva wood, seated on an antelope or tiger skin, with simple alms-bowl and restrained attire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic figure with daṇḍa and ajina, stylized forest setting with palāśa and aśvattha leaves, muted tones, serene tapas mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ascetic seated on ajina, gold work on staff tip and water-pot, symbolic palāśa/pippala/bilva leaves arranged, devotional austerity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear labeled depiction of three staff-woods and two skins as an instructional plate, fine outlines, gentle colors, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hermitage scene with detailed flora (palāśa blossoms, pippala leaves, bilva), ascetic with staff and skin-seat, delicate naturalism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वैयाध्रवास्तानि = वैयाध्र + वा + तानि; क्रमाद्दण्डाः = क्रमात् + दण्डाः (त्→द् परसवर्ण/जश्त्व)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 153 (āśrama-lakṣaṇa and vrata-ācāra context); Agni Purana sections on saṃnyāsa/brahmacarya conduct
FAQs
It specifies permitted materials for an ascetic’s ritual equipment—authorized animal hides (antelope and tiger) and the correct woods for staffs (palāśa, pippala, bilva) in a stated sequence—forming part of vratācāra/āśrama discipline.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical dharma-regulations about daily observance—down to sanctioned materials for ascetic attire and implements—illustrating the Agni Purāṇa’s catalog-like coverage of ritual law, conduct, and material prescriptions.
Using prescribed, ritually acceptable materials is treated as part of disciplined vow-keeping (vrata), supporting purity (śauca), restraint, and conformity to dharma—thereby strengthening the merit (puṇya) and efficacy of ascetic practice.