Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 19
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
एकदण्डी त्रिदण्डी वा योगी मुच्यते बन्धनात् अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं ब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहौ
ekadaṇḍī tridaṇḍī vā yogī mucyate bandhanāt ahiṃsā satyamasteyaṃ brahmacaryāparigrahau
ஒருதண்டம் ஏந்தினாலும் மும்மூன்று தண்டம் (திரிதண்டம்) ஏந்தினாலும், யோகி அஹிம்சை, சத்தியம், அஸ்தேயம், பிரம்மச்சரியம், அபரிக்ரஹம் ஆகியவற்றைச் செயல்படுத்தி பந்தத்திலிருந்து விடுபடுவான்.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Ethical restraints for renunciants/yogins (yama) as the foundation for liberation-oriented life; guidance for sannyasa conduct (ekadaṇḍin/tridaṇḍin).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Yama-dharma for the Daṇḍin Yogin (Ahimsa–Satya–Asteya–Brahmacarya–Aparigraha)","lookup_keywords":["yama","ahimsa","aparigraha","tridandi","moksha"],"quick_summary":"Liberation is grounded in five universal restraints; the external mark (single or triple staff) is secondary to lived ethics."}
Concept: Yama as the causal discipline for bondage-release; renunciation symbols are validated by inner restraint.
Application: Adopt the five yamas as daily vows; reduce possessions and harm; align speech and conduct to truth.
Khanda Section: Yoga & Sannyasa-Dharma (Moksha-shastra / Nivritti-marga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharmya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene forest hermitage where an ascetic yogin stands with either a single staff or triple staff, embodying the five yamas through gentle conduct toward beings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, ascetic with ekadaṇḍa/tridaṇḍa in a grove, deer and birds unharmed, calm face, minimal ornaments, palm-leaf hut background, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yogin with staff, subtle gold leaf halo, symbolic panels showing ahimsa (protecting a deer), satya (truthful speech gesture), asteya (open hands), brahmacarya (austerity), aparigraha (few belongings), rich border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, soft colors, instructional vignette: five yamas written on palm-leaf scroll near the yogin, staff types shown side-by-side, quiet ashram setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed hermitage scene, ascetic with staff, attendants absent, animals nearby, delicate foliage, calligraphic cartouche listing the five yamas"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्यमस्तेयं → सत्यम् + अस्तेयम्; ब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहौ → ब्रह्मचर्य + अपरिग्रहौ (द्वन्द्वार्थ-समुच्चयः, द्विवचन-प्रयोगः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 161 (Yoga & Sannyasa-dharma: yama-niyama framework)
FAQs
It imparts yogic ethical discipline (yama): ahiṃsā, satya, asteya, brahmacarya, and aparigraha—presented as the practical means by which a renunciant-yogin, whether ekadaṇḍin or tridaṇḍin, attains freedom from bondage.
Alongside ritual, iconography, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies mokṣa-oriented conduct; this verse functions as a compact dharma-and-yoga manual entry describing recognized renunciant types and the core ethical restraints leading to liberation.
By grounding renunciation in non-harm, truth, non-theft, chastity, and non-attachment, the verse indicates purification of karma and weakening of desire-based bonds, culminating in release (mokṣa) from saṃsāric bondage.