Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 35
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
स्तुत्वा सम्प्रार्थयेदेवमादिदेवं गदाधरम् गदाधरं गयावासं पित्रादीनां गतिप्रदम्
stutvā samprārthayedevamādidevaṃ gadādharam gadādharaṃ gayāvāsaṃ pitrādīnāṃ gatipradam
Après avoir loué, qu’on adresse une prière fervente au Seigneur—au Dieu primordial (Ādideva), Gadādhara. Gadādhara, qui demeure à Gayā, accorde aux ancêtres (pitṛ) et aux autres le passage salvateur et l’obtention de la destinée.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Use praise and earnest prayer to Gadadhara at Gaya as part of pitṛ-rites to seek upliftment (gati) for ancestors.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Gadādhara at Gayā as Pitṛ-gati-prada (Prayer Formula)","lookup_keywords":["gadadhara","gaya-vasin","pitri-gati","stuti","prarthana"],"quick_summary":"After stuti, pray to Ādideva Gadādhara residing at Gaya, invoked as the giver of saving passage/attainment for ancestors—integrating bhakti into śrāddha performance."}
Alamkara Type: Namokti (salutatory praise)
Concept: Bhakti as an efficacious limb within ritual action—devotional prayer directs and sanctifies pitṛ-karmas toward liberation-oriented gati.
Application: During Gaya śrāddha, include explicit prayer to Gadādhara for pitṛ-upliftment, aligning intention (saṅkalpa) with compassionate devotion.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pitṛ-tarpaṇa and Gayā-śrāddha / Ancestor rites)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee at Gaya shrine with folded hands before Vishnu as Gadadhara holding a mace; behind, subtle presence of ancestors receiving upliftment, indicated by ascending light or peaceful silhouettes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Gadadhara-Vishnu standing with gadā, conch and discus suggested, devotee in anjali at Gaya tirtha setting, ancestral figures faintly in the background as luminous forms, deep greens and ochres, temple-border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Gadadhara as central deity with heavy gold halo and ornaments, gadā prominently rendered, small lower register showing devotee performing prārthanā at Gaya with offerings, gold embossing for divine radiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear iconographic focus on Gadadhara (mace-bearing Vishnu), calm shrine setting, devotee posture and offering tray detailed, soft gradients and refined linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate shrine audience scene: devotee petitions before a richly dressed Vishnu figure with mace, architectural niche and attendants, delicate depiction of ritual objects and subdued ancestral symbolism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सम्प्रार्थयेदेवम् = सम्प्रार्थयेत् + एवम् (त् + ए → दे); एवमादिदेवं = एवम् + आदि-देवम्; पित्रादीनां = पितृ + आदीनाम्; गतिप्रदम् = गति + प्रदम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vishnu-stotra materials; Shraddha/Pitri sections mentioning Gaya and pitṛ-gati
FAQs
It prescribes a specific ritual sequence in Gayā-śrāddha: first perform stuti (formal praise), then samprārthanā (earnest supplication) directed to Viṣṇu as Gadādhara, the presiding deity connected with ancestor rites at Gayā.
It exemplifies the text’s procedural coverage of dharma-practice by embedding a concrete liturgical instruction (stuti → prayer) within a tīrtha-based śrāddha framework, linking theology (Ādi-deva Viṣṇu) with applied ritual (ancestral deliverance at Gayā).
The verse frames Gadādhara-worship at Gayā as “gatiprada”—granting auspicious destiny or salvific passage to ancestors, implying that correct devotion and prayer in this context supports pitṛ-śānti and the performer’s merit through fulfillment of ancestral obligations.