Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 9
Chapter 381 — यमगीता
Yama-gītā
हानिः सर्वविधित्सानामात्मनः सुखहैतुकी श्रेयः परं मनुष्याणां देवलोद्गीतमीरितं
hāniḥ sarvavidhitsānāmātmanaḥ sukhahaitukī śreyaḥ paraṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ devalodgītamīritaṃ
सर्व विधी जाणू इच्छिणाऱ्यांसाठी ‘हानि’सुद्धा आत्मसुखाचे कारण ठरते; पण मनुष्यांसाठी परम श्रेय तेच, जे ‘देवलोद्गीत’ म्हणून घोषित आहे।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s didactic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Reframe ‘loss’ (hāni) as a discipline for inner contentment; prioritize deva-proclaimed śreyas over mere rule-accumulation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Hāni as a Cause of Inner Sukha; Deva-proclaimed Śreyas","lookup_keywords":["hāni","vidhi-jñāna","sukha-hetu","śreyas","devalodgīta"],"quick_summary":"Even for those absorbed in knowing prescriptions, accepting loss can become a cause of inner happiness; the supreme good is what the gods proclaim—pointing beyond mere rule-knowledge to higher welfare."}
Alamkara Type: Paradox (loss producing happiness)
Concept: Attachment to vidhi-jñāna and outcomes is transcended when one can accept hāni; true śreyas is aligned with divine/śāstric proclamation, not egoic gain.
Application: Practice aparigraha in daily life: when loss occurs, use it to reduce clinging; keep dharma while shifting focus from ‘rule-mastery’ to inner purification and welfare.
Khanda Section: Moksha-Dharma / Niti-Shastra (Ethics of welfare and the highest good)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Karunā
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder experiences material loss yet remains serene; above, divine figures symbolically ‘sing’ śreyas, indicating higher guidance beyond mere prescriptions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic courtyard with a calm figure letting go of possessions, subtle divine chorus in the sky with veena and conch motifs, warm earthy palette, emphasis on serenity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central serene human figure with minimal belongings, gold-leaf divine assembly above proclaiming śreyas, ornate halo work, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene split-panel: left ‘vidhi-jñāna’ scholar with scrolls, right same person peaceful after loss, caption-like visual cues, soft colors and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative vignette of a merchant accepting loss with composure, angels/devas in stylized cloud band singing, intricate architectural background, delicate expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वविधित्सानामात्मनः = सर्व-विधित्सानाम् आत्मनः; सुखहैतुकी = सुख-हैतुकी; देवलोद्गीतम् = देवल-उद्गीतम्; मीरितं = ईरितम् (sandhi with preceding).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Nīti/Mokṣa-dharma passages on vairāgya and śreyas vs preyas; Agni Purana teachings on daiva and dharma as higher guidance
FAQs
It teaches a dharma-ethical principle: relinquishment or ‘loss’ (hāni)—especially the surrender of egoistic gain—can become a direct cause of inner happiness, while śreyas (the highest good) is defined as what the gods themselves commend.
Beyond rituals and technical sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves concise axioms of niti and mokṣa-dharma—defining śreyas, critiquing mere rule-accumulation, and framing well-being in terms of inner transformation rather than external acquisition.
It valorizes renunciation and the acceptance of diminution (hāni) as spiritually productive: letting go of grasping reduces karmic bondage and supports śreyas—the enduring good aligned with divine (deva) approval.