Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 3
Chapter 109 — Tīrtha-mahātmya
The Glory of Sacred Pilgrimage Places
निष्पपस्तीर्थयात्री तु सर्वयज्ञफलं लभेत् अनुपोष्य त्रिरात्रीणि तीर्थान्यनभिगम्य च
niṣpapastīrthayātrī tu sarvayajñaphalaṃ labhet anupoṣya trirātrīṇi tīrthānyanabhigamya ca
Le pèlerin exempt de péché obtient un mérite égal à celui de tous les sacrifices (yajña) ; et, en observant un jeûne de trois nuits—sans se rendre à d’autres tīrtha—il obtient ce même fruit.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical of the Agni Purana’s frame narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Gives a specific expiatory/observance rule: a three-night fast with single-pointed tīrtha observance (not hopping to other tīrthas) to gain yajña-equivalent merit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Trirātra-upavāsa at a tīrtha for sarva-yajña-phala","lookup_keywords":["triratra","upavasa","tirtha-yatri","sarva-yajna-phala","niyama"],"quick_summary":"A sin-free pilgrim gains sacrifice-like merit; a focused three-night fast at a tīrtha—without visiting other fords—intensifies the fruit."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Vrata and inner purity can yield yajña-phala; ekāgratā (single-pointed observance) is emphasized by avoiding tīrtha-hopping.
Application: Choose one tīrtha, keep a three-night observance with purity and restraint, and avoid dispersing attention across multiple sites for mere accumulation.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-yatra & Vrata-vidhi (Pilgrimage observances and expiatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim seated near a river-ford or temple tank, observing a three-night fast with prayer and vigil, staying within one sacred precinct.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: night-time vigil by a tīrtha-ghāṭa with oil lamps; pilgrim in meditation posture, minimal food bowl untouched; stylized water and temple steps; subdued yet warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: pilgrim before a deity shrine at the tīrtha, lamps and gold ornamentation; three small moons or three lamp clusters symbolizing trirātra; rich gold work and devotional symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: sequential narrative—three panels for three nights: dusk prayer, midnight vigil, dawn bath; clear instructional labeling; soft palette and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: riverside encampment; pilgrim with rosary, attendants resting; calendar-like three-night motif in border; delicate landscape and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: niṣpapastīrthayātrī = niṣpapaḥ + tīrthayātrī (visarga loss before t); tīrthānyanabhigamya = tīrthāni + anabhigamya (i+a→ya).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Prāyaścitta/vṛata discussions (fasts and expiations); Agni Purana: Yajña-related summaries (merit comparisons)
FAQs
It prescribes a pilgrimage discipline: a three-night fasting (or restricted-diet) observance connected to a tīrtha, emphasizing focused practice rather than moving among multiple pilgrimage sites.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purana codifies practical dharma—pilgrimage protocols, fasting durations, and merit-calculus—functioning as a ritual handbook within its broad encyclopedic scope.
It teaches that purified intent and disciplined restraint at a tīrtha can yield sacrificial-level merit, highlighting inner purification and focused observance as powerful means of karmic uplift.