Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 17
Chapter 326 — देवालयमाहात्म्यम्
The Glory of Temples
भागद्वयञ्च धर्मार्थं कल्पयेज्जीवनाय च धनस्य भागमेकन्तुअनित्यं जीवितं यतः
bhāgadvayañca dharmārthaṃ kalpayejjīvanāya ca dhanasya bhāgamekantuanityaṃ jīvitaṃ yataḥ
Dapat paglaanan ang dalawang bahagi ng yaman para sa dharma (tungkuling panrelihiyon at kawanggawa), at isang bahagi para sa ikabubuhay; sapagkat ang buhay ay tunay na di-mananatili.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Household budgeting: earmark fixed portions of income/wealth for charity and religious obligations while reserving a portion for daily maintenance, remembering life’s uncertainty.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Wealth Apportionment for Dharma and Livelihood","lookup_keywords":["dhanavibhaga","dharma-artha","grihastha-vyaya","dana-niyama","anitya-jivita"],"quick_summary":"Allocate two shares of wealth toward dharma/charity and one share toward sustaining life; the rule is framed as prudent policy because life is impermanent."}
Concept: Anityatva (impermanence of life) as a basis for disciplined giving and right use of wealth.
Application: Treat charity and duty as non-negotiable budget items; avoid hoarding by remembering mortality.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dhananiti (Ethics of wealth, charity, and household economy)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder divides coins or grain into three measured portions—two set before a priest/poor recipients and one kept for family sustenance—while a subtle reminder of mortality (setting sun or funeral pyre in distance) underscores impermanence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a grihastha in traditional attire measuring wealth into three heaps, two offered to brahmana and needy, one for household, symbolic setting sun in background, flat decorative detailing, sacred calm mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf accents, central householder with balance scale dividing wealth into three shares, two shares offered at a small altar and to a supplicant, ornate borders, rich reds and greens, devotional-didactic composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional scene of budgeting: labeled heaps ‘dharma’ and ‘jivana’, family and priest present, gentle shading, clean architectural interior of a home, calm ethical tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic interior, accountant-like division of coins and grain into three piles, two given to faqir/brahmin figures, one reserved for household, delicate textiles, subdued moral atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhāgadvayañca → bhāga-dvayam + ca; kalpayejjīvanāya → kalpayet + jīvanāya; bhāgamekantuanityaṃ → bhāgam + ekam + tu + anityam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 326 (Rajadharma/Dhananiti context); Agni Purana dana-prakarana sections (general)
FAQs
It teaches a practical rule of dhana-vibhāga (wealth allocation): set aside defined portions for dharma (gifts, offerings, righteous obligations) and for basic livelihood, stressing disciplined household economy.
Beyond mythology, it gives applied nīti/rajadharma guidance—how to manage wealth ethically—showing the Purana’s coverage of everyday governance, social duty, and economic conduct.
By prioritizing dharma-based giving and duty while remembering life’s impermanence, one converts wealth into puṇya (merit) and reduces attachment, aligning action with righteous living.