Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 4
अध्याय ११५ — गयायात्राविधिः
Procedure for the Pilgrimage to Gayā
किं कुरुक्षेत्रवासेन यदा पुत्रो गयां व्रजेत् गयाप्राप्तं सुतं दृष्ट्वा पितॄणामुत्सवो भवेत्
kiṃ kurukṣetravāsena yadā putro gayāṃ vrajet gayāprāptaṃ sutaṃ dṛṣṭvā pitṝṇāmutsavo bhavet
À quoi sert de demeurer à Kurukṣetra, si le fils se rend à Gayā ? En voyant le fils parvenu à Gayā, les Pitṛs (ancêtres) se réjouissent comme en une fête.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic tirtha-mahātmya material to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Emphasizes the special efficacy of a son’s pilgrimage to Gayā for pitṛ-satisfaction, even compared to residence at Kurukṣetra; motivates descendants to perform Gayā-śrāddha for lineage welfare.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gayā-prāpti of the son as Pitṛ-utsava (ancestral rejoicing)","lookup_keywords":["Kurukṣetra-vāsa","Gayā-yātrā","putra-dharma","pitṛ-utsava","śrāddha-phala"],"quick_summary":"The verse elevates a son’s reaching Gayā as a direct cause of ancestral joy, implying that Gayā-acts can outweigh other meritorious residencies for pitṛ-purpose."}
Alamkara Type: Prashna (rhetorical question)
Concept: Filial duty (putra-dharma) expressed through pilgrimage and śrāddha is portrayed as a potent means of repaying ancestral debt (pitṛ-ṛṇa).
Application: If unable to perform extensive austerities, ensure a descendant performs Gayā-related pitṛ-kriyā; cultivate family continuity of śrāddha observance.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-mahatmya (Pilgrimage merit; Shraddha and Pitr-karya)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A son arriving at Gayā’s sacred precincts/ghāṭ, carrying offerings for śrāddha, while subtle ancestral figures appear above, rejoicing like a festival (utsava); Kurukṣetra is shown as a distant alternative backdrop.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Gayā ghāṭ with riverbank steps, the son with piṇḍa-plate and tila-water pot, translucent Pitṛs in the sky celebrating with garlands, distant Kurukṣetra field motif, bold lines and flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central figure of the son at Gayā with gold-leaf on ritual vessels, Pitṛs in an upper register with ornate halos, decorative arch framing the tīrtha, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle instructional scene—son at ghāṭ preparing piṇḍas, priest guiding, ancestors shown faintly above; soft palette and fine detailing of ritual items.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed riverside ceremony at Gayā with priest and son, offerings arranged, ethereal ancestors in clouds celebrating; distant landscape panel hinting at Kurukṣetra plains."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पितॄणामुत्सवो → पितॄणाम् + उत्सवः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Gayā-māhātmya passages on piṇḍa-dāna fruits; Agni Purana: Kurukṣetra-māhātmya / tīrtha lists (where present)
FAQs
It highlights the ritual priority of Gayā for pitṛ-kārya (ancestral rites): a son’s going to Gayā is presented as especially efficacious for pleasing the Pitṛs.
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s tirtha-mahātmya and dharma content—cataloguing sacred geography and the comparative merits of pilgrimage sites tied to śrāddha, tarpaṇa, and ancestral welfare.
The verse teaches that actions benefiting one’s ancestors—especially through Gayā-related rites—generate strong spiritual merit by bringing satisfaction and upliftment to the Pitṛs.