Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 17
Chapter 326 — देवालयमाहात्म्यम्
The Glory of Temples
भागद्वयञ्च धर्मार्थं कल्पयेज्जीवनाय च धनस्य भागमेकन्तुअनित्यं जीवितं यतः
bhāgadvayañca dharmārthaṃ kalpayejjīvanāya ca dhanasya bhāgamekantuanityaṃ jīvitaṃ yataḥ
ຄວນແບ່ງຊັບສິນເປັນສອງສ່ວນເພື່ອທຳມະ (ໜ້າທີ່ທາງສາສະໜາ ແລະ ທານ) ແລະອີກໜຶ່ງສ່ວນເພື່ອຫຼ້ຽງຊີວິດ ເພາະຊີວິດນັ້ນບໍ່ຖາວອນແທ້ໆ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Household budgeting: earmark fixed portions of income/wealth for charity and religious obligations while reserving a portion for daily maintenance, remembering life’s uncertainty.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Wealth Apportionment for Dharma and Livelihood","lookup_keywords":["dhanavibhaga","dharma-artha","grihastha-vyaya","dana-niyama","anitya-jivita"],"quick_summary":"Allocate two shares of wealth toward dharma/charity and one share toward sustaining life; the rule is framed as prudent policy because life is impermanent."}
Concept: Anityatva (impermanence of life) as a basis for disciplined giving and right use of wealth.
Application: Treat charity and duty as non-negotiable budget items; avoid hoarding by remembering mortality.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dhananiti (Ethics of wealth, charity, and household economy)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder divides coins or grain into three measured portions—two set before a priest/poor recipients and one kept for family sustenance—while a subtle reminder of mortality (setting sun or funeral pyre in distance) underscores impermanence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a grihastha in traditional attire measuring wealth into three heaps, two offered to brahmana and needy, one for household, symbolic setting sun in background, flat decorative detailing, sacred calm mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf accents, central householder with balance scale dividing wealth into three shares, two shares offered at a small altar and to a supplicant, ornate borders, rich reds and greens, devotional-didactic composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional scene of budgeting: labeled heaps ‘dharma’ and ‘jivana’, family and priest present, gentle shading, clean architectural interior of a home, calm ethical tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic interior, accountant-like division of coins and grain into three piles, two given to faqir/brahmin figures, one reserved for household, delicate textiles, subdued moral atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhāgadvayañca → bhāga-dvayam + ca; kalpayejjīvanāya → kalpayet + jīvanāya; bhāgamekantuanityaṃ → bhāgam + ekam + tu + anityam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 326 (Rajadharma/Dhananiti context); Agni Purana dana-prakarana sections (general)
FAQs
It teaches a practical rule of dhana-vibhāga (wealth allocation): set aside defined portions for dharma (gifts, offerings, righteous obligations) and for basic livelihood, stressing disciplined household economy.
Beyond mythology, it gives applied nīti/rajadharma guidance—how to manage wealth ethically—showing the Purana’s coverage of everyday governance, social duty, and economic conduct.
By prioritizing dharma-based giving and duty while remembering life’s impermanence, one converts wealth into puṇya (merit) and reduces attachment, aligning action with righteous living.