Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
शुद्धभावश् चरेद्भर्मं यत्र तत्राश्रमे रतः समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु न लिङ्गं धर्मकारणं
śuddhabhāvaś caredbharmaṃ yatra tatrāśrame rataḥ samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu na liṅgaṃ dharmakāraṇaṃ
Sa dalisay na kalooban, isagawa ang dharma; saan man manirahan, manatiling tapat sa disiplina ng sariling āśrama. Maging pantay ang loob sa lahat ng nilalang, at alamin na ang panlabas na tanda lamang ay hindi sanhi ng dharma.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the seer—commonly transmitted as Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Ethical living focused on inner purity and equanimity rather than external religious markers; consistent āśrama-discipline wherever one resides.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dharma Beyond External Insignia (Liṅga)","lookup_keywords":["śuddha-bhāva","āśrama-dharma","samatā","liṅga","sadācāra"],"quick_summary":"Teaches that dharma is grounded in purified intention and equal regard for beings; external signs alone do not generate righteousness."}
Concept: Primacy of inner disposition (bhāva-śuddhi) and universal equality (samatā) over external identifiers; dharma as lived discipline, not costume.
Application: Reduce performative religiosity; maintain vows and ethical conduct consistently; cultivate impartiality toward all beings in daily interactions.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Sadachara (Dharma-śāstra: conduct beyond external marks)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A renunciant or disciplined householder practicing calm, equal-minded conduct among diverse beings, with external marks deemphasized and inner radiance suggested.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: central figure with serene face and minimal insignia, surrounded by animals and people of varied status, all treated equally; symbolic white lotus for śuddha-bhāva.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: figure seated in meditative poise, gold halo indicating inner purity; surrounding vignettes of compassionate acts toward all beings; ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional scene showing ‘liṅga’ (external marks) set aside while the figure performs āśrama duties (study, service, restraint); clean, diagram-like clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court-and-forest composite where the protagonist behaves identically with king, servant, and animals; subtle emphasis on expression and gesture over costume."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुद्धभावश् = शुद्धभावः + (visarga sandhi before c); चरेद्भर्मम् = चरेत् + भर्मम्; तत्राश्रमे = तत्र + आश्रमे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: āśrama-dharma and sadācāra discussions around 161.9–161.13
FAQs
It teaches dharma-vidyā in the form of sadācāra: practice grounded in inner purity, steady āśrama-discipline, and impartiality—rather than reliance on external sectarian or ascetic insignia.
Alongside rituals, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies normative ethics: it defines dharma through psychological disposition (bhāva), social-religious structure (āśrama), and universal compassion—showing its broad, law-and-conduct dimension.
It redirects merit from outward identity to inner purification and equal regard for beings, implying that karmic fruit arises primarily from intention, disciplined living, and non-discriminatory conduct.