Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 3
Prayāga-māhātmya
Conclusion Notice
अश्मना चरणौ हत्वा वसेत्काशीन्न हि त्यजेत् हरिश् चन्द्रं परं गुह्यं गुह्यमाम्नातकेश्वरं
aśmanā caraṇau hatvā vasetkāśīnna hi tyajet hariś candraṃ paraṃ guhyaṃ guhyamāmnātakeśvaraṃ
Même si l’on a frappé (les) pieds (de quelqu’un) avec une pierre, on doit demeurer à Kāśī et ne jamais l’abandonner — car s’y trouvent Hariścandra, tīrtha suprêmement secret, et le liṅga secret Āmnātakeśvara.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Tirtha-Mahatmya","practical_application":"Guidance for Kāśī-vāsa as a form of expiatory resolve and steadfast pilgrimage discipline; identification of key secret tīrthas/liṅgas within Kāśī.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kāśī-atyāśraya (Never Abandon Kāśī) and Secret Tīrthas: Hariścandra & Āmnātakeśvara","lookup_keywords":["Kāśī-vāsa","prāyaścitta","Hariścandra-tīrtha","Āmnātakeśvara-liṅga","guhya"],"quick_summary":"The verse urges unwavering residence in Kāśī even for one burdened by wrongdoing, highlighting the presence of supremely secret sacred spots like Hariścandra and the Āmnātakeśvara liṅga."}
Concept: Kṣetra-śaraṇāgati and niṣṭhā: steadfast dwelling in a sacred field is framed as spiritually transformative even for the morally compromised.
Application: Adopt disciplined Kāśī-vāsa (or symbolic observance) with repentance, restraint, and regular darśana of designated tīrthas/liṅgas; treat ‘guhya’ sites with ritual propriety and discretion.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Mahatmya (Kashi-Kshetra Rahasya / Shiva-Kshetra Dharma)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhayānaka
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim with remorse resolves not to abandon Kāśī; the scene highlights the Hariścandra sacred spot and a hidden inner shrine of Āmnātakeśvara liṅga, suggesting secrecy and sanctity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Kāśī ghāṭa with a penitent devotee, Śiva’s liṅga shrine partially veiled to indicate ‘guhya’, a small panel-like depiction of Hariścandra’s sacred area; strong outlines, ritual lamps, subdued reverent mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate liṅga shrine labeled Āmnātakeśvara with gold-leaf arch, devotee in añjali, secondary vignette of Hariścandra tīrtha; rich jewel tones, temple ornamentation emphasized.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean, didactic layout—map-like markers for ‘Hariścandra’ and ‘Āmnātakeśvara’, with a central figure taking a vow of Kāśī-vāsa; fine lines, soft colors, minimal gilding.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed street-to-ghāṭa transition in Vārāṇasī, a discreet inner sanctum with a liṅga, attendants guarding the ‘secret’ shrine; penitent pilgrim foreground, delicate architectural perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved: वसेत्काशीन्न → वसेत् + काशीम् + न; हरिश् → हरिः; गुह्यमाम्नातकेश्वरं → गुह्यम् + आम्नातकेश्वरम्; आम्नातकेश्वरम् analyzed as आम्नातक-ईश्वर (tatpuruṣa).
Related Themes: Agni Purana adhyāya 112 lists of guhya-tīrthas/liṅgas in Avimukta
FAQs
It conveys tīrtha-vidyā: the rule of residing in Kāśī as a powerful means of purification, and it points to specific sacred loci—Hariścandra-tīrtha and the esoteric Āmnātakeśvara-liṅga—whose remembrance/approach is treated as spiritually potent.
Alongside ritual and doctrine, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs sacred geography (tīrthas, kṣetras, and secret shrines). This verse exemplifies that encyclopedic mapping of places, deities, and merit-producing practices within a pilgrimage framework.
It implies that even serious wrongdoing (symbolized by assaulting another’s feet) can be countered through steadfast residence in Kāśī and connection with its secret and supreme sanctities, emphasizing Kāśī’s exceptional expiatory and liberative power.