Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 6
Chapter 109 — Tīrtha-mahātmya
The Glory of Sacred Pilgrimage Places
ब्रह्मा सह सुरैर् आस्ते मुनयः सर्वमिच्छवः देवाः प्राप्ताः सिद्धिमत्र स्नाताः पितृसुरार्चकाः
brahmā saha surair āste munayaḥ sarvamicchavaḥ devāḥ prāptāḥ siddhimatra snātāḥ pitṛsurārcakāḥ
Brahmā demeure ici avec les dieux; et les sages (muni), désireux de toute réalisation spirituelle, y demeurent aussi. Ici, les dieux atteignent la perfection; et ceux qui s’y baignent, adorateurs des Pitṛ (ancêtres) et des dieux, obtiennent l’accomplissement.
Lord Agni (narrating the tīrtha-māhātmya to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Tirtha-snāna and devatā–pitṛ-tarpaṇa as a merit-generating pilgrimage observance; motivates ritual bathing with ancestral and divine worship.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Tīrtha where Devas and Pitṛ-worshippers attain siddhi by snāna","lookup_keywords":["tirtha-mahatmya","snana-phala","pitru-arcana","deva-siddhi","brahma-sannidhya"],"quick_summary":"The verse frames the tīrtha as a locus of Brahmā, devas, and siddhi-seeking sages; bathing there, coupled with pitṛ and deva worship, is said to yield fulfillment/perfection."}
Concept: Śuddhi and siddhi arise from tīrtha-sevā combined with pitṛ and deva worship.
Application: Perform snāna, tarpaṇa/śrāddha-intent reverence, and devatā-pūjā at the tīrtha with sankalpa for purification and spiritual attainment.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Mahatmya (Sacred Geography & Pilgrimage Merit)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sacred bathing ghat at a tīrtha where Brahmā and devas are envisioned present; sages stand in contemplation while pilgrims perform snāna and offer water to pitṛs and devas.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: luminous tīrtha ghat with stylized river steps, Brahmā with four faces seated on lotus aura, devas in orderly rows, rishis with matted hair, pilgrims performing tarpaṇa with añjali; earthy reds and greens, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central Brahmā with gold-leaf halo, devas flanking, ornate ghat and kalasha motifs, devotees offering arghya; rich jewel tones, heavy ornamentation, embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: refined linework showing ritual sequence—snāna, tarpaṇa, deva-arcana—at a serene ghat; soft shading, delicate ornaments, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed riverside scene with multiple vignettes—sages, devas in the sky, pilgrims bathing and offering water; fine architectural steps, naturalistic water, intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुरैर् आस्ते = सुरैः + आस्ते; सर्वमिच्छवः = सर्वम् + इच्छवः; सिद्धिमत्र = सिद्धिम् + अत्र; पितृसुरार्चकाः = पितृ + सुर + अर्चकाः (समास)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Tirtha-mahatmya sections on snana-phala and pitru-tarpana; Agni Purana: Shraddha/pretakalpa-related chapters (general)
FAQs
It conveys tīrtha-vidyā: the doctrine that bathing at a sanctified place, coupled with deva-pūjā and pitṛ-arcana (ancestor rites), is a direct means to siddhi (ritual-spiritual attainment).
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s coverage of pilgrimage theology and ritual practice—mapping sacred geography (tīrthas) to concrete religious acts (snāna, deva-arcana, pitṛ-arcana) and their results (puṇya and siddhi).
The verse frames the tīrtha as a locus of heightened merit: purification through bathing and honoring both gods and ancestors is said to mature karma toward fulfillment and spiritual accomplishment.