Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 8
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
विधूमे न्यस्तमुषले व्यङ्गारे भुक्तवज्जने वृत्ते शरावसम्पाते भिक्षां नित्यं यतिश् चरेत्
vidhūme nyastamuṣale vyaṅgāre bhuktavajjane vṛtte śarāvasampāte bhikṣāṃ nityaṃ yatiś caret
遁世者应当每日行乞，但须在（人家）无烟之时（即烹煮已毕）、杵已放下、余烬已冷、众人已食、碗盘声响已止之后，方可前往。
Lord Agni (narrating) to sage Vasiṣṭha (traditional Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Bhiksha protocol for renunciants to avoid burdening householders and to ensure alms are sought only after the family has finished cooking and eating; reduces social friction and supports humility.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhiksha-vidhi: timing alms after household completion","lookup_keywords":["bhiksha-vidhi","yati-bhiksha","vidhuma","ushala-nyasta","vyangara-shita"],"quick_summary":"A renunciant should seek alms only after cooking is done—no smoke, pestle set down, embers cooled, people have eaten, and dish-noise has ceased. This preserves household order and embodies non-imposition."}
Concept: Bhiksha as disciplined dependence: accept sustenance without causing inconvenience; cultivate humility and minimize claims on others’ labor.
Application: Time requests so they do not interrupt cooking/eating; accept what is available without preference, reinforcing contentment (santoṣa) and non-attachment.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Yati-dharma / Bhiksha-vidhi for renunciants)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharmya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A renunciant stands quietly outside a house after the meal: no smoke from the kitchen, pestle resting, cold hearth embers, family finishing eating; the clatter of dishes has stopped before he receives alms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic courtyard scene: cooled hearth with faint ash, pestle set aside, family seated after meal; yati waits respectfully at a distance, muted colors and clear narrative sequencing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, householder offering a small portion of food to a waiting yati; gold detailing on vessels and doorway, emphasis on respectful distance and completed meal setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau: five cues shown clearly—no smoke, pestle down, cold embers, eaten household, silent dishes—yati approaching only after; fine linework and calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed kitchen courtyard: hearth, utensils, family post-meal; yati at threshold with bowl, subtle gesture of waiting, intricate architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Sahana","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: न्यस्तमुषले = न्यस्त + मुषले; भुक्तवज्जने = भुक्तवत् + जने; यतिश् चरेत् = यतिः + चरेत् (विसर्ग-सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: adjacent yati-dharma and śauca rules (161.4–161.7) forming a coherent renunciant code
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for a yati’s bhikṣā: approach households only after cooking and eating are finished, minimizing disturbance and avoiding appearing to demand fresh preparation.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied dharma—fine-grained social regulations governing ascetic–householder interaction, showing its coverage of ethics and daily-life law.
By taking alms without causing inconvenience or prompting new cooking, the renunciant practices non-harm and humility, supporting purity of livelihood and reducing karmic entanglement for both giver and receiver.