Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 18
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
स्नानभोजनकाले च पट्सु मौनं समाचरेत् पुनर्दानं पृथक्पानमाज्येन यपसा निशि
snānabhojanakāle ca paṭsu maunaṃ samācaret punardānaṃ pṛthakpānamājyena yapasā niśi
ସ୍ନାନ ସମୟରେ, ଭୋଜନ ସମୟରେ ଓ ନିୟତ ବସ୍ତ୍ର ପରିଧାନ କାଳେ ମୌନ ଆଚରଣ କରିବା ଉଚିତ। ପୁନଃ ଅତିରିକ୍ତ ଦାନ କରିବ; ଏବଂ ରାତିରେ ଘୃତ ସହ, ଯପସ୍-ବ୍ରତ ଅନୁସାରେ, ପୃଥକ୍ ପାନ କରିବ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Implement daily observances: silence during bathing/eating/when wearing prescribed cloth; perform additional giving; follow a night regimen involving separate drinking with ghee and the yapas observance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Daily observances: mauna at snāna/bhojana/vastra; dāna; night ghee-drink with yapas","lookup_keywords":["Mauna","Snana-kala","Bhojana-kala","Ajya-pana","Yapas"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes disciplined silence at key daily moments, encourages supplementary charity, and notes a specific nocturnal regimen of separate intake with ghee linked to a vow/observance (yapas)."}
Concept: Discipline of speech (mauna), regulated consumption, and dāna as practical sādhanā embedded in daily life.
Application: Create a daily rule-set: keep silence during bathing and meals, wear prescribed clean cloth mindfully, set aside regular charity, and follow night dietary observances when undertaking vows.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Achara-vidhi (Rules of Conduct and Daily Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined householder: bathing quietly at a water source, eating in silence on a leaf-plate, donning clean cloth, giving alms to a needy person, and at night taking a small measured portion of ghee separately as part of a vow (yapas).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, calm domestic-ritual sequence with muted tones: silent bath by a pond, quiet meal, clean cloth drape, alms-giving, night scene with lamp and small bowl of ghee, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central seated figure at a silent meal with gold accents on lamp and vessels, side vignette of dāna with gold highlights, night ghee-drink scene with rich dark background and embossed gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step instructional panels labeled snāna, bhojana, vastra, dāna, niśi-ajya-pāna (yapas), precise depiction of utensils and posture, soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined household interior: figure eating quietly, attendant presenting clean cloth, charitable giving at doorway, night lamp-lit scene with small ghee cup, intricate architectural details and floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्नान+भोजन+काले → स्नानभोजनकाले; पुनः+दानम् → पुनर्दानम्; पृथक्+पानम्+आज्येन → पृथक्पानमाज्येन
Related Themes: Agni Purana 166 (ācāra-vidhi: mauna, dāna, niśi-niyama)
FAQs
It prescribes achara (conduct): observing silence during bathing and meals, maintaining discipline with clothing/ritual propriety, performing additional charity (dāna), and a regulated night-time intake involving ghee as part of a vow-like observance (yapas).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs practical dharma topics—daily regimen, vows, purity rules, and charitable acts—showing its compendium-like coverage of lived religious practice.
Silence and regulated conduct cultivate self-restraint (saṃyama) and purity, while dāna accrues merit (puṇya); together they support ritual efficacy and ethical purification in daily life.