Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 5
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
भवेदाकशगङ्गायां कपिलायाञ्च पिण्डदः कपिलेशं शिवं नत्वा रुक्मिकुण्डे च पिण्डदः
bhavedākaśagaṅgāyāṃ kapilāyāñca piṇḍadaḥ kapileśaṃ śivaṃ natvā rukmikuṇḍe ca piṇḍadaḥ
À Ākāśagaṅgā et aussi à Kapilā, on devient donateur de piṇḍa (piṇḍa-dāna). Après s’être incliné devant Kapileśa Śiva, on est également donateur de piṇḍa à Rukmikuṇḍa.
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Perform piṇḍa-dāna at specified tīrthas (Ākāśagaṅgā, Kapilā, Rukmikuṇḍa) and include devotional salutation to Kapileśa Śiva as part of tīrtha-śrāddha.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Piṇḍa-dāna tīrthas: Ākāśagaṅgā, Kapilā, Kapileśa, Rukmikuṇḍa","lookup_keywords":["Ākāśagaṅgā","Kapilā","Kapileśa","Rukmikuṇḍa","piṇḍa-dāna"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates key sites where piṇḍa offerings are efficacious, adding a required reverential bow to Kapileśa Śiva before offering at Rukmikuṇḍa."}
Concept: Integration of deva-bhakti (Śiva-namaskāra) with pitṛ-dharma (piṇḍa-dāna) as complementary obligations.
Application: Before piṇḍa offerings, perform respectful salutation and brief worship at the local Śiva shrine; then proceed with śrāddha offerings at the waterbody with purity observances.
Khanda Section: Shraddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-karmāṇi and Tīrtha-śrāddha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim at a bright water-tīrtha labeled Ākāśagaṅgā/Kapilā offers piṇḍas on darbha near the bank; nearby stands a small Kapileśa Śiva liṅga shrine where the pilgrim bows before proceeding to a golden-hued pond (Rukmikuṇḍa).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with stylized river/pond bands, devotee placing piṇḍas, a compact Śiva-liṅga shrine labeled Kapileśa, muted sacred palette, emphasis on ritual purity and calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold on the liṅga pedestal and kuṇḍa steps, devotee in añjali before Kapileśa, then offering piṇḍas by the water, ornate borders and lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean depiction of sequence: (1) piṇḍa at Ākāśagaṅgā (2) piṇḍa at Kapilā (3) namaskāra to Kapileśa (4) piṇḍa at Rukmikuṇḍa; fine linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with detailed stepped tank (kuṇḍa), small shrine pavilion for Kapileśa, pilgrim and priest arranging darbha and rice-balls, delicate water reflections and flora."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shivaranjani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेदाकशगङ्गायाम् = भवेत् + आकाश-गङ्गायाम्; कपिलायाञ्च = कपिलायाम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 116 (continuing tīrtha-śrāddha catalogue)
FAQs
It prescribes tīrtha-based śrāddha practice: performing piṇḍa-dāna at specific sacred sites (Ākāśagaṅgā, Kapilā, and Rukmikuṇḍa), with an explicit preliminary act of bowing to Kapileśa Śiva.
It catalogs named pilgrimage locations and links them to concrete ritual actions (piṇḍa-dāna and Śiva-vandana), illustrating the Purāṇa’s compendium-style mapping of geography, devotion, and dharma-practice.
By offering piṇḍas at recognized tīrthas—especially after reverencing Kapileśa Śiva—the rite is treated as especially efficacious for pitṛ-satisfaction and purification, accruing merit for the performer and benefit for ancestors.