Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 10
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
परलोकगते मह्यमक्ष्यय्यमुपतिष्ठतां गयायां पितृरूपेण स्वयमेव जनार्दनः
paralokagate mahyamakṣyayyamupatiṣṭhatāṃ gayāyāṃ pitṛrūpeṇa svayameva janārdanaḥ
Quand je serai passé dans l’autre monde, que l’Impérissable (Akṣaya), Janārdana Lui-même—présent à Gayā sous la forme des Pitṛs—se tienne auprès de moi comme soutien infaillible.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Prayer used in Gayā-śrāddha: invoking Janārdana as the imperishable support who manifests as Pitṛs, ensuring post-mortem protection and continuity of ancestral rites.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gayā: Janārdana as Pitṛ-rūpa and Akṣaya-śaraṇa","lookup_keywords":["Gayā śrāddha","pitṛrūpa Janārdana","akṣaya","paraloka","pitṛ-tarpaṇa"],"quick_summary":"The verse frames Gayā as a locus where Janārdana is present in the form of the Pitṛs; the devotee prays for unfailing support after death."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (identification: Janārdana as Pitṛ-rūpa)
Concept: Īśvara as the ultimate guarantor of pitṛ-yajña; divine immanence in ancestral forms.
Application: During Gayā-śrāddha, cultivate śaraṇāgati: dedicate rites to the Akṣaya Lord, viewing Pitṛs as His manifestation.
Khanda Section: Shraddha-vidhi (Gaya-shraddha and Pitri-tarpana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Gayā, a devotee performs pitṛ-tarpaṇa and piṇḍa offerings; Janārdana appears subtly as the Pitṛs—an imperishable protective presence behind the ritual.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Gayā ghats with priests and darbha, three Pitṛ figures haloed yet sharing Viṣṇu’s iconographic aura, muted sacred palette, frontal ritual composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Janārdana with gold halo, below him Pitṛs seated receiving offerings, devotee kneeling with piṇḍas, gold embellishment on halos and vessels","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene: Gayā shrine/ghat labeled, priest guiding tarpaṇa, translucent overlay of Janārdana as Pitṛ-rūpa, fine lines and calm tones","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ghat architecture and crowd, devotee offering water with cupped hands, ethereal Viṣṇu presence blending with ancestral figures, soft atmospheric wash"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मह्यमक्षय्यम् = मह्यम् + अक्षय्यम् (म् + अ → म).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 116 (Gayā-śrāddha context)
FAQs
It conveys the Gaya-śrāddha doctrine that Viṣṇu (Janārdana) is specially present at Gayā as Pitṛrūpa, making the rite there yield akṣaya (inexhaustible) support/merit for the departed and the performer.
Alongside many subjects, the Agni Purana functions as a practical ritual compendium; this verse anchors a pilgrimage-based śrāddha teaching (Gayā-mahātmya) by linking place-theology (tīrtha) with ancestral ritual efficacy.
It emphasizes that remembrance and śrāddha connected with Gayā invoke imperishable divine assistance—Janārdana’s grace mediated through the Pitṛs—supporting auspicious post-mortem destiny and purification of ancestral obligations.