Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
मधूकरमसङ्क्लिप्तं प्राक्प्रणीतमयाचितं तात्कालिकञ्चोपपन्नं भैक्षं पञ्चविधं स्मृतं
madhūkaramasaṅkliptaṃ prākpraṇītamayācitaṃ tātkālikañcopapannaṃ bhaikṣaṃ pañcavidhaṃ smṛtaṃ
Милостыня (bhaikṣa) памятуется как пятичастная: (1) «как пчела» (madhūkara), (2) незапятнанная и не накапливаемая (asaṅklipta), (3) заранее отложенная (prākpraṇīta), (4) не выпрошенная (ayācita) и (5) полученная в надлежащее время и должным, уместным образом (tātkālika, upapanna).
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Guidelines for mendicant livelihood: selecting ethically acceptable modes of receiving food/alms without hoarding, coercion, or impropriety.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Bhaikṣa (Alms) — Fivefold Classification","lookup_keywords":["bhaiksha","madhukara","ayacita","prākpraṇīta","tātkālika-upapanna"],"quick_summary":"Defines five legitimate modes of alms for a bhikṣu/renunciant, emphasizing non-accumulation, non-solicitation, and timely, fitting receipt."}
Concept: Purity of means in sustenance: dharmic livelihood is defined by non-attachment, non-violence, and propriety in receiving.
Application: Adopt minimalism: accept only what is offered appropriately, avoid storing food, and avoid pressuring householders.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Bhiksha-vidhi (Rules of alms and mendicant livelihood)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm ascetic receiving small portions of food from multiple houses like a bee gathering nectar, carrying no store, accepting only timely offerings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: serene saffron-clad mendicant with palm-leaf bowl, village houses in the background, donors offering small handfuls of rice, flat warm colors, temple-mural linework.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central ascetic with halo-like aureole, stylized donors at sides, gold-leaf highlights on vessels and borders, emphasis on auspicious restraint and simplicity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional tableau showing five labeled modes of alms (madhūkara, asaṅklipta, prākpraṇīta, ayācita, tātkālika/upapanna), delicate shading, clean composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed street scene with an ascetic visiting several doorways, each giving a small portion; fine textiles, architectural detail, subdued palette, narrative sequencing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राक्प्रणीतम् = प्राक् + प्रणीतम्; तात्कालिकञ्चोपपन्नम् = तात्कालिकम् + च + उपपन्नम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Bhikṣā-vidhi and Sannyāsa/Āśrama-dharma sections (adjacent to 161.10–161.13)
FAQs
It classifies bhaikṣa (alms-food) into five recognized modes—bee-like collection, untainted/unhoarded, previously set aside, unsolicited, and timely/proper—guiding how a renunciant should receive sustenance without breaching dharma.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical dharma norms—here, a technical taxonomy of alms—showing its compendium-like coverage of social ethics and ascetic discipline.
By favoring unsolicited, pure, and properly obtained alms, the verse promotes non-attachment and restraint, minimizing harm and ethical compromise—key conditions for purification and steady spiritual practice.