Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 34
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
गयां प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य गयाविप्रान् प्रपूज्य च अन्नदानादिकं सर्वं कृतन्तत्राक्षयं भवेत्
gayāṃ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya gayāviprān prapūjya ca annadānādikaṃ sarvaṃ kṛtantatrākṣayaṃ bhavet
Après avoir fait la circumambulation (pradakṣiṇā) de Gayā et honoré comme il se doit les brāhmaṇas de Gayā, tous les actes accomplis en ce lieu—tels que le don de nourriture et autres—deviennent impérissables (akṣaya), au mérite inépuisable.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Pilgrimage protocol at Gaya: circumambulation, honoring local brahmanas, and dana (especially anna-dana) to secure akshaya punya.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gaya Pradakshina and Akshaya Merit through Dana","lookup_keywords":["gaya","pradakshina","gaya-vipra","anna-dana","akshaya-punya"],"quick_summary":"At Gaya, perform pradakshina and worship the Gaya brahmanas; gifts such as food there are declared imperishable in result (akshaya)."}
Concept: Tīrtha-sevā and dāna as dharmic multipliers—place and proper recipients intensify karmic fruit.
Application: When undertaking Gaya rites, prioritize pradakshina, respectful honoring of qualified local priests, and anna-dana with faith and purity.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Mahatmya (Gaya-shraddha and pilgrimage rites)
Primary Rasa: shraddha
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Pilgrims circumambulating sacred Gaya precincts, then offering food-gifts to seated brahmanas; baskets of rice, vessels of water, and ritual hospitality.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, procession of pilgrims doing pradakshina around a stylized Gaya shrine, brahmanas seated receiving anna-dana, earthy palette, temple-lamp highlights, traditional ornamented borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gilded depiction of a Gaya shrine with ornate arch, donors offering heaps of rice and vessels to brahmanas, gold leaf emphasizing sanctity and akshaya merit symbolism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative panel: pradakshina path around the tirtha, then dana scene with labeled items (anna, jala, dakshina), soft shading and didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed street-temple scene at Gaya with pilgrims circling, brahmanas receiving food gifts, fine architectural detail, delicate rendering of textiles and offerings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य = प्रदक्षिणी + कृत्य (क्त्वा-रूप); गयाविप्रान् = गया + विप्रान्; अन्नदानादिकं = अन्न + दान + आदिकम्; कृतन्तत्राक्षयं = कृतम् + तत्र + अक्षयम् (म् + त् → न्त्; तत्र + अक्षयम् → तत्राक्षयम्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Tirtha-mahatmya and Shraddha/Pitri-kalpa portions connected to Gaya
FAQs
It prescribes a tīrtha-procedure at Gayā: perform pradakṣiṇā (ritual circumambulation), honour the local vipras (Brahmins), and undertake dāna—especially anna-dāna—stating that such acts at this kṣetra yield akṣaya (inexhaustible) results.
Alongside cosmology and other sciences, the Agni Purana catalogs practical dharma: pilgrimage protocols, place-based merit (tīrtha-māhātmya), and charity norms—showing how ritual practice, sacred geography, and karmic theory are integrated into one compendium.
The verse teaches that actions like anna-dāna performed at Gayā, when joined with reverent circumambulation and worship of Brahmins, generate akṣaya puṇya—merit understood as enduring and not easily exhausted by time or enjoyment.
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