Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 16
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
वसिष्ठेशन्नमस्कृत्य तदग्रे पिण्डदो भवेत् गयानाभौ सुषुम्णायां महाकोष्ट्याञ्च पिण्डदः
vasiṣṭheśannamaskṛtya tadagre piṇḍado bhavet gayānābhau suṣumṇāyāṃ mahākoṣṭyāñca piṇḍadaḥ
Après s’être prosterné devant Vasiṣṭheśa, on doit offrir le piṇḍa devant lui. On doit aussi offrir des piṇḍa à Gayā-nābhi, à Suṣumnā et à Mahākoṣṭī.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Stepwise Gayā-śrāddha procedure: bow to Vasiṣṭheśa and offer piṇḍas at specified Gayā stations (Gayā-nābhi, Suṣumnā, Mahākoṣṭī).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gayā-śrāddha stations: Vasiṣṭheśa, Gayā-nābhi, Suṣumnā, Mahākoṣṭī","lookup_keywords":["Vasiṣṭheśa","Gayā-nābhi","Suṣumnā","Mahākoṣṭī","piṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes a sequence of reverence and piṇḍa-offerings at named loci within the Gayā-kṣetra, functioning as a practical itinerary for Gayā-śrāddha."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is enhanced by proper sequence (krama) and kṣetra-specific observance; devotion (namaskāra) precedes offering (dāna).
Application: Follow local Gayā-śrāddha prayoga: begin with namaskāra at Vasiṣṭheśa, then proceed station-by-station for piṇḍa placements.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-kriyā and Gayā-śrāddha procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim at Gayā bows before the Vasiṣṭheśa shrine, then proceeds to marked stations—Gayā-nābhi, Suṣumnā, Mahākoṣṭī—placing piṇḍas on darbha at each spot, guided by a priest.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Gayā landscape with riverbank and clustered shrines, Vasiṣṭheśa liṅga sanctum in the background, devotee in añjali bowing, priest indicating next stations, bold outlines and warm tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Vasiṣṭheśa shrine with gold haloed arch, foreground ritualist offering piṇḍa, side panels showing three labeled stations, ornate gold borders and rich textile detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional procession scene with clear station markers (nābhi, suṣumnā, mahākoṣṭī), delicate linework, soft colors, emphasis on correct placement of piṇḍas","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pilgrimage route within a sacred townscape, small shrines and ghats, priest-led devotee offering at multiple points, fine architectural rendering and naturalistic figures"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वसिष्ठेशन्नमस्कृत्य = वसिष्ठे + ईशम् + नमस्कृत्य. महाकोष्ट्याञ्च = महाकोष्ट्याम् + च (अनुस्वार/यण्-संधि लेखन).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 116 (Gayā-śrāddha procedural subsections and tīrtha-nāma lists)
FAQs
It specifies the sequence and loci for piṇḍa-dāna in the Gayā śrāddha context—first saluting Vasiṣṭheśa and offering piṇḍa before him, then offering at named Gayā tīrthas (Gayā-nābhi, Suṣumnā, Mahākoṣṭī).
It catalogues practical pilgrimage-ritual details—named sacred sites and the correct act to perform there—showing the text’s compendium style that preserves procedural dharma (śrāddha and tīrtha-vidhi) alongside many other disciplines.
Piṇḍa-dāna at Gayā and its key tīrthas is traditionally held to gratify ancestors (pitṛs), aid their onward course, and confer purification and merit (puṇya) upon the performer through faithful observance of prescribed places and order.
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