Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 12
Chapter 153 — Brahmacarya-āśrama-dharma
The Dharma of the Student Stage
प्रथमं तत्र भ्हिक्षेत यत्र भिक्षा ध्रुवं भवेत् स्त्रीणाममन्त्रतस्तानि विवाहस्तु समन्त्रकः
prathamaṃ tatra bhhikṣeta yatra bhikṣā dhruvaṃ bhavet strīṇāmamantratastāni vivāhastu samantrakaḥ
முதலில் பிச்சை உறுதியாக கிடைக்கும் இடத்திலேயே பிச்சை நாட வேண்டும். பெண்களுக்கான இச் சடங்குகள் வேத மந்திரமின்றி செய்யப்பட வேண்டும்; ஆனால் திருமணம் மந்திரங்களுடன் செய்யப்பட வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vashistha, the standard Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Gives practical guidance for bhikṣā-seeking (choose assured places) and distinguishes mantra-eligibility: women’s rites without Vedic mantras, while vivāha is performed with mantras.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Bhikṣā-Niyama & Strī-Kriyā Amantratva; Vivāha Samāntraka","lookup_keywords":["bhikṣā","niyama","strī amantra","vivāha mantra","saṃskāra"],"quick_summary":"Seek alms first where it is reliably available, avoiding futile wandering. Women’s rites are stated as non-Vedic-mantra rites, whereas marriage is affirmed as a mantra-accompanied saṃskāra."}
Concept: Dharma is pragmatic (bhikṣā with certainty) and rule-governed (mantra-adhikāra distinctions; vivāha as a mantra-saṃskāra).
Application: For alms-based observances, plan routes to dependable households; in rites, follow mantra-eligibility rules and ensure vivāha is performed with proper mantras and officiation.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Sanskara & Vivaha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brahmacārin seeking bhikṣā at a household known for giving; parallel vignette of a wedding fire with mantra-recitation by priest, contrasting with a women’s rite performed without Vedic mantra chanting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-panel narrative: brahmacārin at a generous house receiving alms; vivāha scene with sacred fire and priest chanting, stylized gestures, warm earthy tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, vivāha with gold-leaf flames and ornaments, priest reciting mantras, bride and groom in rich attire; smaller side scene of bhikṣā with alms-bowl, devotional austerity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional split-scene: bhikṣā protocol (select assured place) and vivāha mantra-ritual steps around agni, clear iconographic labeling, delicate lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic street for bhikṣā with donors; ornate wedding pavilion with fire-altar and reciting priest, fine textiles and architecture, balanced narrative"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Dhanyasi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भ्हिक्षेत (पाठे द्विहकारः) = भिक्षेत; स्त्रीणाममन्त्रतः = स्त्रीणाम् + अमन्त्रतः; विवाहस्तु = विवाहः + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purana 153 (bhikṣā/ācāra and vivāha-vidhi context); Agni Purana chapters on vivāha-saṃskāra and mantra-prayoga
FAQs
It gives procedural dharma guidance: beg alms only where provision is reliable, and distinguishes mantra-eligibility in rites—women’s specified acts are to be done without Vedic mantras, while the marriage rite is explicitly mantra-accompanied.
It exemplifies the text’s dharma-shastra coverage by prescribing practical norms (bhiksha conduct) and ritual classifications (amantrata vs. samantraka), alongside broader sections on worship, polity, medicine, and arts.
The verse frames right conduct and right ritual performance as merit-producing: disciplined alms-seeking avoids harm and impropriety, and correctly following mantra rules safeguards the sanctity and karmic efficacy of samskaras—especially marriage.