Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 23
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
समाचरेदिति ख , छ च दयास्तेयमिति ङ त्रिदण्डी चेति ङ पद्मकाद्यासनं महत् इति ट रेचनाद्रेचकः प्रोक्तो मात्राभेदेन च त्रिधा द्वादशात्तु चतुर्विंशः षट्त्रिंशन्मात्रिको ऽपरः
samācarediti kha , cha ca dayāsteyamiti ṅa tridaṇḍī ceti ṅa padmakādyāsanaṃ mahat iti ṭa recanādrecakaḥ prokto mātrābhedena ca tridhā dvādaśāttu caturviṃśaḥ ṣaṭtriṃśanmātriko 'paraḥ
“समाचरेत्” इति (ख-छ-पाठे); “दया अस्तेयम्” इति (ङ-पाठे); “त्रिदण्डी” चेति (ङ-पाठे); “पद्मकाद्यासनं महत्” इति (ट-पाठे)। ‘रेचनात्’ रेचकः प्रोक्तः। मात्राभेदेन त्रिधा—द्वादशमात्रिकः, चतुर्विंशमात्रिकः, अपरः षट्त्रिंशन्मात्रिकः।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Text-critical and definitional clarifications: variant readings for ethical terms and sannyasa markers; derivation of ‘recaka’ and practical timing (mātrā) gradations for pranayama.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Recaka Nirukti and Mātrā-bheda (12–24–36) with Variant Readings","lookup_keywords":["recaka","recana","matra","variant reading","tridandi"],"quick_summary":"The verse preserves scholastic notes: compassion/asteya and tridaṇḍin readings, defines recaka from ‘recana’ (expulsion), and standardizes three timing measures for practice."}
Concept: Yoga practice is supported by precise terminology (nirukti) and measurable regimen (mātrā); dharma terms are stabilized through careful reading traditions.
Application: Use consistent counts for breath phases; progress from 12 to 24 to 36 mātrās only when effortless; keep ethical foundations (dayā/asteya) alongside technique.
Khanda Section: Yoga / Pranayama and Ascetic Discipline (Sannyasa-vidhi, Yama-Niyama, Asana, Pranayama)
Primary Rasa: jnana
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-sage instructs disciples with a palm-leaf manuscript showing variant readings; beside them a simple counting device (beads/marks) illustrates 12-24-36 mātrā breath measures and the term ‘recaka’ derived from ‘recana’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru with palm-leaf manuscript, disciples seated, stylized script lines, three grouped tally marks (12/24/36), calm scholastic ambience, earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru and disciples with gold-highlighted manuscript edges, three gold medallions labeled 12/24/36 mātrā, ornate border, devotional-scholastic mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style didactic scene, clear manuscript with highlighted words recana/recaka, counting beads, three step ladder diagram for mātrā progression, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, madrasa-like veranda with Sanskrit pandit, students, manuscript folios, marginal notes indicating variant readings, small cartouches for 12-24-36 counts"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दयास्तेयम् → दया + अस्तेयम्; चेति → च + इति; रेचनाद्रेचकः → रेचनात् + रेचकः; मात्राभेदेन → मात्रा + भेदेन; द्वादशात्तु → द्वादशात् + तु; षट्त्रिंशन्मात्रिकोऽपरः → षट्त्रिंशन्मात्रिकः + अपरः (ऽ-लोप/अवग्रह)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 161.19-22 (yama-niyama-āsana-prāṇāyāma sequence)
FAQs
It defines recaka (controlled exhalation) and classifies it into three timed measures—12, 24, and 36 mātrās—alongside associated yogic discipline (compassion, non-stealing) and seated postures like padmāsana.
It preserves precise yoga-technical terminology (recaka, mātrā), ethical restraints (dayā, asteya), ascetic identifiers (tridaṇḍin), and posture prescriptions—showing the text’s coverage of practical yogic science alongside dharma and renunciation.
Measured breath-discipline supported by ethical restraints is presented as a purificatory practice: it steadies the mind, supports self-control, and aids the ascetic path toward inner clarity and spiritual merit.