Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 11
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
किं पुत्रदारैर् मित्रैर् वा किं मित्रक्षेत्रवान्धवैः उपदेशः परो वन्धुरीदृशो यो विमुक्तये
kiṃ putradārair mitrair vā kiṃ mitrakṣetravāndhavaiḥ upadeśaḥ paro vandhurīdṛśo yo vimuktaye
子女与妻室有何用？朋友又有何用？朋友、田土与亲族又有何用？能令人成就解脱（mokṣa）的此类正教，才是真正至上的亲眷。
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Vairāgya-based prioritization: evaluating attachments (family, property, kin) against the liberating value of right instruction; adopting a liberation-oriented counsel-seeking life.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Upadeśa as Paramabandhu (Instruction as the Supreme Kinsman)","lookup_keywords":["mokṣa","vairāgya","bandhu","upadeśa","saṅga-tyāga"],"quick_summary":"Relational and proprietary ties are limited supports; the truly supreme ‘relative’ is liberating instruction that leads to mokṣa."}
Alamkara Type: Anaphora (punarukti-prāya) with rhetorical questions
Concept: Mokṣa is served not by expanding attachments but by embracing liberating upadeśa as one’s true support.
Application: Reduce dependence on social validation and property-security; schedule regular śravaṇa/manana with a competent teacher; keep a ‘mokṣa notebook’ of core instructions and practice them.
Khanda Section: Moksha-upadesha (Vairagya and Liberation Teachings)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vairagya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seeker stands at a crossroads: one path lined with family, friends, land deeds; the other led by a luminous scroll labeled ‘upadeśa’ pointing toward a distant mokṣa-gate.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic crossroads; figures of kin and property rendered as stylized icons; the upadeśa scroll glows; distant temple-gopura as mokṣa symbol; calm shanta mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore gold-work: mokṣa-gate with ornate arch; upadeśa scroll in the seeker’s hands; family and wealth shown as secondary panels; rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: two panels ‘preyas’ vs ‘śreyas’; the upadeśa teacher points to the śreyas panel; fine detailing and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: a philosopher-teacher in a garden pavilion; the seeker turns away from a group of relatives and estate agents; delicate flora, calligraphic cartouches for key words."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुत्रदारैर् = पुत्रदारैः (विसर्ग-लोप); मित्रैर् = मित्रैः; वन्धुरीदृशो = वन्धुः + ईदृशः (विसर्ग-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 382.10; Agni Purana 382.12
FAQs
It imparts moksha-vidya in a practical form: prioritize liberating instruction (upadeśa) over dependence on social ties and possessions.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves concise liberation-oriented teachings; this verse exemplifies its moksha and ethics layer within the broader compendium.
It cultivates vairagya (dispassion) and right orientation toward moksha, teaching that the highest ‘support’ is transformative guidance leading to freedom from bondage.