Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 3
Chapter 114 — Gayā-māhātmya
The Greatness of Gayā
दैत्यो ऽब्रवीत्पवित्रो ऽहं भवेयं सर्वतीर्थतः तथेत्युक्त्वा गतो विष्णुर्दैत्यं दृष्ट्वा न वा हरिं
daityo 'bravītpavitro 'haṃ bhaveyaṃ sarvatīrthataḥ tathetyuktvā gato viṣṇurdaityaṃ dṛṣṭvā na vā hariṃ
Le Daitya dit : « Puissé-je être purifié par tous les tīrtha, les gués sacrés ». Ayant répondu : « Qu’il en soit ainsi », Viṣṇu s’en alla ; et lorsque le Daitya regarda autour de lui, il ne vit plus Hari (Viṣṇu).
Agni (narrating the Purāṇic account to Vasiṣṭha, typical frame of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Tirtha-mahatmya","practical_application":"Frames the Gaya-asura tīrtha narrative: purification is granted by divine assent, establishing faith in tīrtha-sevā and śrāddha-related pilgrimage.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gaya-asura seeks purification through all tīrthas; Viṣṇu’s assent and disappearance","lookup_keywords":["Gaya-asura","tirtha-mahatmya","pavitrata","Vishnu boon","Hari disappears"],"quick_summary":"A daitya petitions to become purified by all sacred fords; Viṣṇu grants the boon and vanishes, setting up the later sacrificial/śrāddha foundation of Gayā."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (apparent contradiction) / Adbhuta-prayoga (wonder through disappearance)
Concept: Tīrtha-pavitrīkaraṇa depends on īśvara-anugraha (divine sanction), not merely physical travel.
Application: Cultivate śraddhā and dhārmika intent in pilgrimage/ritual; understand tīrtha as a divinely instituted means of purification.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-mahatmya (Purification and Sacred Fords)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A daitya petitions Viṣṇu for purification by all tīrthas; Viṣṇu grants the boon and disappears as the daitya looks around in surprise.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, ornate jewelry; Viṣṇu with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma blessing a daitya supplicant; next moment shown as empty space with the daitya turning in astonishment; temple-tīrtha motifs in background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf halos; central Viṣṇu giving varada-mudrā to kneeling daitya; rich textile patterns; a secondary vignette of the daitya searching, with a glowing empty aura where Hari stood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, delicate linework; sequential narrative panel: boon-granting and disappearance; subtle expressions of wonder; minimal background with tīrtha steps (ghāṭa).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing; court-like setting near a river ford; Viṣṇu departs in a luminous trail; the daitya looks around, attendants and landscape rendered with perspective and flora."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दैत्योऽब्रवीत् = दैत्यः + अब्रवीत्; पवित्रोऽहम् = पवित्रः + अहम्; तथेत्युक्त्वा = तथा + इति + उक्त्वा; विष्णुर्दैत्यं = विष्णुः + दैत्यम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 114 (Gayā-mahātmya / tīrtha-prasaṅga)
FAQs
It conveys tīrtha-vidyā in a practical sense: purification (pavitrīkaraṇa) is sought and obtained through the sanctifying power attributed to all tīrthas, framed as a boon granted by Viṣṇu.
Alongside ritual manuals and other sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also catalogs dharma-topics like tīrtha-phala (results of pilgrimage). This verse exemplifies that broad scope by embedding a doctrinal point—purification via sacred geography—inside a narrative episode.
The key takeaway is pāpa-śuddhi (karmic cleansing): contact with or merit from tīrthas is presented as a means to become “pavitra,” and Viṣṇu’s assent underscores divine sanction of that purificatory result.