Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 10
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
संसारे भ्रमता लभ्यं पुत्रदारधनं वसु सुहृदश् च तथैवान्ये नोपदेशो द्विजेदृशः
saṃsāre bhramatā labhyaṃ putradāradhanaṃ vasu suhṛdaś ca tathaivānye nopadeśo dvijedṛśaḥ
សម្រាប់អ្នកដែលវង្វេងក្នុងសំសារៈ កូន ប្រពន្ធ ទ្រព្យសម្បត្តិ វត្ថុសម្បត្តិ មិត្ត និងអ្វីៗផ្សេងទៀតអាចរកបាន; ប៉ុន្តែការណែនាំពិតពីអ្នកមានទស្សនៈដូចទ្វិជៈ (បណ្ឌិតដឹងធម៌) មិនងាយរកបានទេ។
Lord Agni (narrating the nīti teaching, in the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Prioritizing access to qualified ethical counsel (sad-upadeśa) over merely accumulating social and material supports; choosing teachers/advisers for life decisions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Durlabhatā of Sad-upadeśa (Rarity of True Counsel)","lookup_keywords":["upadeśa","durlabha","dvija","sadācāra","nīti"],"quick_summary":"Worldly assets and relationships are commonly attainable, but discerning dharma-grounded instruction from a truly trained seer is rare; therefore one should actively seek and preserve such counsel."}
Alamkara Type: Vyatireka
Concept: Sad-upadeśa from a dharma-trained, discerning teacher is rarer and more valuable than worldly attainments.
Application: Cultivate proximity to learned elders/ācāryas; treat counsel as a scarce resource—record it, revisit it, and let it govern choices.
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Upadeśa (Ethics and Practical Counsel)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vairagya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A weary traveler in saṃsāra surrounded by family, wealth, and friends, yet turning toward a serene dvija-sage offering a palm-leaf of instruction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, earthy reds and greens, saṃsāra-traveler with household symbols (child, spouse, coins) contrasted with calm dvija-ācārya holding palm-leaf; temple-like backdrop, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf halo around the dvija teacher, ornate borders; the seeker kneels amid stylized wealth and relatives; emphasis on the luminous manuscript of upadeśa.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework; instructional tableau: labels on objects (putra, dāra, dhana) fading, while the upadeśa scroll is crisp and central; subdued palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting: a learned Brahmin adviser instructs a householder; detailed textiles, books, and attendants; visual contrast between material abundance and the single counsel-bearing figure."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथैवान्ये = तथा + एव + अन्ये; नोपदेशो = न + उपदेशः; द्विजेदृशः = द्विज + ईदृशः (स्वर-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 382.11; Agni Purana 382.12-14
FAQs
It imparts nīti-vidyā: the practical discernment that worldly attainments are common, while reliable dharmic instruction (upadeśa) from a truly discerning teacher is rare and therefore must be sought and valued.
Alongside ritual, medicine, warfare, and poetics, the Agni Purana also preserves nīti and guidance for conduct; this verse exemplifies its ethical counsel by ranking human pursuits and highlighting the scarcity of authentic instruction.
Seeking and following true upadeśa supports dharmic action and right understanding, reducing भ्रम (delusion) in saṃsāra and guiding one toward merit (puṇya) and spiritual clarity rather than mere accumulation.