Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 24
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
मूढस्तत्रानुबध्नाति जीवितेथ चले घने यदा वित्तं न दानाय नोपभोगाय देहिनां
mūḍhastatrānubadhnāti jīvitetha cale ghane yadā vittaṃ na dānāya nopabhogāya dehināṃ
ధనం దానానికి గానీ, దేహధారుల న్యాయమైన భోగానికి గానీ వినియోగించబడనప్పుడు, మూర్ఖుడు ఈ చంచలమైన ఘన అనిశ్చితిలో జీవితం పట్టుకుని వేలాడుతాడు।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Counter delusion (moha) by ensuring wealth serves either dāna (charity) or legitimate bhoga (support and lawful enjoyment); cultivate detachment and planned giving.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Moha in artha: clinging to life while wealth serves neither dāna nor bhoga","lookup_keywords":["mūḍha moha","dāna","bhoga","artha anityatā","gṛhastha nīti"],"quick_summary":"Clinging to life and hoarding wealth is folly when money is not directed to charity or rightful enjoyment; dharmic use of resources dissolves anxiety and delusion."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (implicit contrast: clinging vs. purposeless wealth)
Concept: Moha binds the jīva to fear and grasping; artha without dharma/bhoga is a cause of bondage rather than security.
Application: Practice periodic giving (monthly/seasonal dāna), set aside funds for dependents and dharmic acts, and reflect on mortality to reduce clinging.
Khanda Section: Dāna-Dharma (Ethics of Charity and Right Use of Wealth)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vairagya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A confused man clutches a money chest while storm clouds swirl; beside him, hungry dependents and a charity recipient stand ignored, illustrating wealth unused for dāna or bhoga.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic swirling clouds, central figure gripping chest, stylized anxious eyes, ignored supplicant and family at sides, lamp-lit contrast to show dharma path","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold highlights on the chest; moral tableau: miser at center, dāna scene faintly behind as missed opportunity, ornate frame emphasizing didactic theme","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition: two paths labeled ‘dāna’ and ‘bhoga’ branching from wealth; the deluded man stands stuck in the middle under dark clouds","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior with treasurer’s chest, the man clutching it; outside, beggar and relatives; atmospheric sky indicating uncertainty, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मूढस्तत्र → मूढः + तत्र; तत्रानुबध्नाति → तत्र + अनुबध्नाति; जीवितेथ → जीविते + इथ; नोपभोगाय → न + उपभोगाय.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dana-dharma teachings on dāna as purifier of artha; Agni Purana sections on vairāgya/anityatā in nīti contexts
FAQs
It teaches Dāna-dharma as practical conduct: wealth should be consciously allocated to charity (dāna) and proper maintenance/enjoyment (upabhoga), not hoarded while anxiously clinging to life.
Alongside ritual and cosmological topics, the Agni Purana also codifies ethical and social guidance—here, a compact rule on economic righteousness (use of wealth) that complements broader dharma, governance, and household duties.
Hoarded wealth unused for dāna or rightful living becomes a cause of bondage and delusion; directing wealth toward charity and proper support purifies intention and yields merit (puṇya).