Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 4
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
उपेक्षको ऽसिञ्चयिको मुनिर्ज्ञानसमन्वितः कपालं वृक्षमूलञ्च कुचेलमसहायाता
upekṣako 'siñcayiko munirjñānasamanvitaḥ kapālaṃ vṛkṣamūlañca kucelamasahāyātā
Vị ẩn sĩ thờ ơ với việc đời, không tích lũy, được trang bị tri kiến chân thật—mang bát bằng sọ, trú dưới gốc cây, mặc áo rách, và du hành không nương tựa ai.
Lord Agni (teaching the discipline of dharma/renunciation)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Defines external marks and lifestyle disciplines of a sannyasin (non-possessiveness, homelessness, minimal requisites) to support renunciation and reduce social/mental entanglement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sannyasin-lakshana: aparigraha and minimal requisites","lookup_keywords":["sannyasa-lakshana","aparigraha","kapala-bhajana","vriksha-mula-vasati","kaupina-kucela"],"quick_summary":"A renunciant is characterized by indifference, non-accumulation, and jnana, living with minimal supports (skull-bowl, tree-root dwelling, rags, no dependence). The entry functions as a checklist for authentic ascetic conduct."}
Concept: Aparigraha and asahaya (non-dependence) as supports for jnana and vairagya.
Application: Reduce possessions, social reliance, and sensory comforts to stabilize equanimity and contemplative insight.
Khanda Section: Dharma–Sannyasa–Yoga (Ascetic disciplines and marks of renunciation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vairagya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solitary muni with a skull-bowl, wearing tattered cloth, seated or standing beneath a large tree at its roots, carrying minimal belongings and moving without attendants.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, a serene sannyasin under a banyan tree, kapala in hand, sparse background, calm facial expression, stylized foliage and sacred aura.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ascetic figure with subtle halo, gold leaf highlights on the tree canopy and border, kapala-bowl and ragged cloth rendered with ornate yet restrained detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, soft shading, instructional feel: label-like depiction of kapala, tree-root dwelling, and minimal cloth; muted palette, contemplative posture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine brushwork: a wandering faqir-like sannyasin with kapala near a tree, detailed landscape with minimal attendants (none), subdued courtly palette adapted to ascetic theme."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उपेक्षकोऽसिञ्चयिको = उपेक्षकः + असिञ्चयिकः; मुनिर्ज्ञानसमन्वितः = मुनिः + ज्ञानसमन्वितः; वृक्षमूलञ्च = वृक्षमूलम् + च; कुचेलमसहायाता = कुचेलम् + असहायः + आत्मा (अन्तिमपद-लिप्यन्तर/पाठभेद सम्भव)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Sadacara/Acara sections on yati-dharma and bhiksha-vidhi (same khanda cluster); Agni Purana: Moksha-dharma passages on jnana-vairagya
FAQs
It outlines sannyāsa-vidhi in practice—key ascetic markers such as aparigraha (non-accumulation), indifference to worldly dualities, and the external emblems of a renunciate (kapāla, tree-root dwelling, rag-cloth, independence).
Alongside rituals and other sciences, the Agni Purana systematizes dharma by cataloging the observable traits and disciplines of renunciation, functioning like a handbook entry on sannyāsa conduct.
By prescribing non-attachment and non-hoarding with a life of simplicity, it directs the aspirant toward purification of karma and steadying of knowledge (jñāna) through reduced dependence and diminished desire.