Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 9
Chapter 371 — Yama-Niyama and Praṇava-Upāsanā (Oṅkāra) as Brahma-vidyā
मैथुनस्य परित्यागो ब्रह्मचर्यन्तदष्टधा स्मरणं कीर्तनं केलिः प्रेक्ष्यणं गुह्यभाषणं
maithunasya parityāgo brahmacaryantadaṣṭadhā smaraṇaṃ kīrtanaṃ keliḥ prekṣyaṇaṃ guhyabhāṣaṇaṃ
梵行（brahmacarya）是舍离性交；并且亦为八种：避离欲念之追忆、淫词之谈、爱戏之行、以欲望而视、以及隐秘/猥亵之言谈（并及其余相关的欲触诸相）。
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s didactic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Practical brahmacarya discipline: identify and restrain the proximate causes of sexual lapse—memory, talk, play, gaze, and secret/indecent speech—useful for students, ascetics, and householders observing vows.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Brahmacarya as aṣṭadhā (eightfold restraint) beginning with renunciation of maithuna","lookup_keywords":["brahmacarya","ashtadha","smarana","kirtana","prekshana","guhya-bhashana"],"quick_summary":"Brahmacarya is framed as more than physical abstinence: it includes avoiding mental and behavioral channels that kindle desire—recollection, erotic talk, playful intimacy, lustful looking, and secret/indecent conversation (as part of an eightfold scheme)."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Brahmacarya is holistic: control of mind, speech, and senses precedes control of the body.
Application: Create ‘guardrails’: avoid triggers (places/media/company), maintain accountability, and replace desire-channels with constructive habits (svadhyaya, seva, pranayama).
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Sadachara (Codes of Conduct and Vows)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gurukula scene: a brahmacarin student receives instruction on eightfold chastity—mind, speech, and senses restrained; symbolic icons show memory, speech, gaze, and secrecy being checked.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru under a tree with students, symbolic lotus-petals labeled smarana, kirtana, keli, prekshana, guhya-bhashana, warm earthy palette, emphasis on serenity and restraint","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted guru and disciple, a small aureole around the disciplined student, decorative panels showing ‘closed eye’ (gaze restraint) and ‘sealed lips’ (speech restraint)","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic chart-like composition with eight icons around a central brahmacarin figure, fine lines and readable labels, calm instructional mood","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a forest hermitage classroom, delicate depiction of students, marginal medallions illustrating the restrained behaviors, refined naturalistic foliage"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved: brahmacaryantadaṣṭadhā→brahmacaryam tat aṣṭadhā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vrata/Sadachara sections on niyama and indriya-nigraha; Agni Purana Yoga-related passages (if present) on sense control
FAQs
It defines brahmacarya as not only physical abstinence (maithuna-tyāga) but also restraint of desire through mental recollection, speech, playful conduct, gaze, and private/indecent talk—practical behavioral markers for vow-observance.
Alongside rituals, iconography, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies dharma and personal discipline; this verse is a concise ethical taxonomy of chastity as a multi-channel restraint (mind, speech, and senses).
By extending chastity beyond the body to thought, speech, and sense-behavior, it frames brahmacarya as a purificatory discipline that reduces saṃskāras of desire and supports tapas, japa, and steadiness of mind.