Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 30
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
मतङ्गस्य पदे श्राद्धी भरताश्रमके भवेत् हंसतीर्थे कोटितीर्थे यत्र पाण्डुशिलान्नदः
mataṅgasya pade śrāddhī bharatāśramake bhavet haṃsatīrthe koṭitīrthe yatra pāṇḍuśilānnadaḥ
On doit accomplir le śrāddha à l’Empreinte de Mataṅga; de même à l’ermitage de Bharata—à Haṃsa-tīrtha et à Koṭi-tīrtha—là où coule la rivière nommée Pāṇḍuśilā.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tirtha-Mahatmya","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Pilgrimage itinerary for śrāddha: identifying specific Gayā sub-tīrthas (Mataṅga-pada, Bharata-āśrama, Haṃsa-tīrtha, Koṭi-tīrtha) and the river Pāṇḍuśilā as ritual landmarks.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śrāddha Sites in Gayā: Mataṅga-pada, Bharata-āśrama, Haṃsa-tīrtha, Koṭi-tīrtha, Pāṇḍuśilā-nadī","lookup_keywords":["Mataṅga-pada","Bharata-āśrama","Haṃsa-tīrtha","Koṭi-tīrtha","Pāṇḍuśilā nadī"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates multiple named spots within the Gayā-kṣetra where śrāddha is recommended. It functions as a practical checklist for pilgrims performing ancestor rites across several tīrthas."}
Concept: Dharma is enacted through place-specific observance; tīrtha is a structured sacred network rather than a single locus.
Application: Perform śrāddha sequentially at designated stations to align with kṣetra-tradition and maximize ritual completeness.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Mahatmya (Sacred Geography and Pilgrimage Merit)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Tirtha-region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A map-like procession of pilgrims moving from Mataṅga’s footprint to Bharata’s hermitage, then to Haṃsa-tīrtha and Koṭi-tīrtha, with the Pāṇḍuśilā river winding through the landscape.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, continuous narrative band showing four tīrtha stations with stylized labels: a footprint shrine (Mataṅga-pada), a forest āśrama (Bharata), a swan-emblem pond (Haṃsa-tīrtha), a crowded multi-shrine ford (Koṭi-tīrtha), and a flowing river (Pāṇḍuśilā), flat perspective and ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, segmented panels with gold accents for each tīrtha station, pilgrims carrying offerings, river rendered as decorative motif, rich colors and gilded highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional pilgrimage route illustration with gentle shading, each station clearly differentiated (footprint stone, hermitage hut, swan symbol, many small shrines), calm devotional tone","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape with winding river and multiple stops, small figures traveling with priests, fine architectural and botanical detail, subtle color palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पाण्डुशिलान्नदः = पाण्डुशिला + नदः (आकारसन्धि/व्यञ्जनसन्धि: शिला + नदः → शिलान्नदः)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 116 (continuing Gayā tīrtha enumeration)
FAQs
It prescribes specific tīrthas where śrāddha (ancestral offering rites) should be performed—Mataṅga’s footprint-site, Bharata’s hermitage, Haṃsa-tīrtha, and Koṭi-tīrtha—linking ritual efficacy to sacred geography.
By cataloging named pilgrimage sites (tīrthas), associated sages, and local hydronyms (rivers/streams), it functions as a compact gazetteer of ritual topography—one of the Agni Purana’s broad knowledge domains alongside dharma, rites, and sacred travel.
Performing śrāddha at revered tīrthas is presented as especially meritorious and purifying, strengthening ancestral satisfaction (pitṛ-tṛpti) and the performer’s dharmic merit through contact with sanctified places.