Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 20
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
यमाः पञ्चाथ नियमाः शौचं सन्तोषणन्तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वरपूजा च पद्मकाद्यासनं यतेः
yamāḥ pañcātha niyamāḥ śaucaṃ santoṣaṇantapaḥ svādhyāyeśvarapūjā ca padmakādyāsanaṃ yateḥ
ఐదు యమాలు, తదుపరి నియమాలు—శౌచం, సంతోషం, తపస్సు, స్వాధ్యాయం, ఈశ్వరపూజ; అలాగే పద్మకాది ఆసనాలు—ఇవి యతి (సన్యాసి) ఆచరించవలెను.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Structured yogic discipline for ascetics: yama-niyama observance plus foundational asanas (padmaka etc.) to stabilize body-mind for meditation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Niyama (Śauca–Santoṣa–Tapas–Svādhyāya–Īśvara-pūjā) and Padmaka-ādi Āsana for Yati","lookup_keywords":["niyama","shauca","svadhyaya","ishvara-puja","padmasana"],"quick_summary":"After the five yamas, cultivate five niyamas and steady postures like padmāsana to support sustained practice and inner clarity."}
Concept: Inner purification and steadiness arise from niyama and āsana; devotion (īśvara-pūjā) integrates yoga with theistic orientation.
Application: Maintain daily routine: cleanliness, gratitude/contentment, measured austerity, scriptural recitation, worship; sit in padmāsana or a stable seat for japa/dhyāna.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Yama–Niyama–Asana discipline for ascetics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic seated in padmāsana, with symbolic emblems around representing the five niyamas—water pot for śauca, simple meal for santoṣa, fire for tapas, palm-leaf text for svādhyāya, and a small shrine for īśvara-pūjā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yati in padmāsana on a mat, stylized shrine lamp, palm-leaf manuscript, water vessel, sacred fire, muted palette, frontal calm gaze","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, seated yogin with gold halo, ornate yet restrained shrine to Īśvara, gold highlights on manuscript and lamp, symmetrical composition showing five niyamas as icons","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine detailing of posture alignment (knees, spine), labeled niyamas on a scroll, gentle background of ashram courtyard, didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-ascetic reading palm-leaf then worshipping a small lingam or Vishnu icon, delicate textiles, garden setting, marginal cartouche listing niyamas"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पञ्चाथ → पञ्च + अथ; स्वाध्यायेश्वरपूजा → स्वाध्याय + ईश्वरपूजा; पद्मकाद्यासनम् → पद्मक + आदि + आसनम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 161 (yama-niyama-āsana sequence)
FAQs
It enumerates the yogic discipline for a renunciant: the five yamas (restraints), the niyamas beginning with purity, and the practical use of meditative seats such as padmāsana.
Alongside ritual, mythology, and governance, the Agni Purana also preserves concise yoga-śāstra material—ethical precepts (yama/niyama), devotional practice (īśvarapūjā), and technical posture guidance—showing its multi-disciplinary scope.
By grounding practice in purity, contentment, austerity, scriptural recitation, and devotion, the verse frames yoga as purification of conduct and mind—supporting concentration, merit (puṇya), and steadiness for meditation.