Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 7
Chapter 109 — Tīrtha-mahātmya
The Glory of Sacred Pilgrimage Places
अश्वमेधफलं प्राप्य ब्रह्मलोकं प्रयान्ति ते कार्त्तिक्यामन्नदानाच्च निर्मलो ब्रह्मलोकभाक्
aśvamedhaphalaṃ prāpya brahmalokaṃ prayānti te kārttikyāmannadānācca nirmalo brahmalokabhāk
Ayant obtenu un mérite égal à celui du sacrifice Aśvamedha, ils se rendent à Brahmaloka. Et par le don de nourriture au mois de Kārttika, on devient purifié et l’on accède à Brahmaloka.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Encourages annadāna in Kārttika and frames its merit as equivalent to major śrauta sacrifice; guides seasonal charity practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Kārttika-annadāna merit equated with Aśvamedha; Brahmaloka-phala","lookup_keywords":["karttika","annadana","ashvamedha-phala","brahmaloka","dana-dharma"],"quick_summary":"Food-giving in Kārttika is praised as highly purifying and as conferring Brahmaloka, with merit likened to the Aśvamedha."}
Concept: Dāna—especially annadāna in sacred time—purifies and elevates the giver to higher lokas.
Application: Undertake Kārttika annadāna (feeding guests, poor, pilgrims, brahmins) with purity of means and intent; pair with vrata-like restraint for enhanced śuddhi.
Khanda Section: Dāna-dharma (Charity, Vrata, and Merit of Gifts)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A donor distributing food during Kārttika—rows of recipients, a clean kitchen/annakṣetra setting—while a symbolic vision of Brahmaloka or Brahmā’s realm appears above, indicating the fruit of the gift.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple-annadāna hall with banana-leaf meals, lamps of Kārttika, donor in traditional attire offering rice; above, stylized Brahmaloka with Brahmā seated, warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central annadāna scene with ornate vessels, gold-highlighted lamps, and a radiant Brahmā/Brahmaloka vignette in the upper register; heavy gold work and rich reds.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: detailed, orderly depiction of charitable distribution—measuring grain, serving food, washing hands—soft palette, fine lines, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly yet compassionate food distribution with meticulous utensils and textiles; upper border shows celestial Brahmaloka imagery; fine brushwork and architectural depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अश्वमेधफलं = अश्वमेध + फलम्; ब्रह्मलोकं = ब्रह्म + लोकम्; कार्त्तिक्यामन्नदानाच्च = कार्त्तिक्याम् + अन्नदानात् + च; ब्रह्मलोकभाक् = ब्रह्म + लोक + भाक् (समास)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dāna-dharma chapters on annadāna and kāla-viśeṣa (general); Agni Purana: Vrata sections on Kārttika observances (general)
FAQs
It teaches dāna-dharma practice: performing anna-dāna (donation of food), especially during Kārttika, is prescribed as a high-merit act comparable in fruit to major Vedic sacrifices.
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s catalog of practical religious disciplines—mapping specific times (Kārttika), acts (food-giving), and results (purification and Brahmaloka)—alongside broader ritual topics like great yajñas.
The verse frames anna-dāna in Kārttika as a purifier (nirmalatā) that yields exceptionally high puṇya, culminating in the attainment of Brahmaloka.