Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 41
अध्याय ११५ — गयायात्राविधिः
Procedure for the Pilgrimage to Gayā
ब्रह्माणञ्च नमस्कृत्य कुलानां शतमुद्धरेत् फल्गुतीर्थे चतुर्थे ऽह्नि स्नात्वा देवादितर्पणं
brahmāṇañca namaskṛtya kulānāṃ śatamuddharet phalgutīrthe caturthe 'hni snātvā devāditarpaṇaṃ
ബ്രഹ്മാവിനെ നമസ്കരിച്ചു (മനുഷ്യൻ) തന്റെ കുലത്തിലെ നൂറുപേരെ ഉയർത്തണം. തുടർന്ന് നാലാം ദിവസം ഫൽഗു തീർത്ഥത്തിൽ സ്നാനം ചെയ്ത് ദേവാദികൾക്കായി തർപ്പണം നടത്തണം।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Combines pilgrimage sequence with śrāddha-tarpaṇa: bow to Brahmā for lineage uplift, then bathe at Phalgu-tīrtha on the fourth day and perform deva-ādi tarpaṇa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Phalgu-tīrtha Fourth-day Bath and Deva-ādi Tarpaṇa; Brahmā-namaskāra for Kuloddhāra","lookup_keywords":["Phalgu-tīrtha","snāna","tarpaṇa","Brahmā-namaskāra","fourth-day"],"quick_summary":"Reverence to Brahmā is linked with uplifting the lineage; after bathing at Phalgu-tīrtha on the fourth day, perform tarpaṇa to gods and other entitled recipients."}
Alamkara Type: Arthavada (phalaśruti)
Concept: Tīrtha-yātrā as dharma-sādhana: bodily purification (snāna) joined to relational obligations (deva/ṛṣi/pitṛ tarpaṇa) yields transgenerational merit.
Application: Follow a day-wise pilgrimage regimen; after snāna, complete tarpaṇa to the appropriate recipients in correct order and with reverence.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-yatra & Śrāddha–Tarpaṇa Vidhi (Ritual Procedures and Pilgrimage Merit)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim bows before a Brahmā shrine or emblem, then proceeds to the Phalgu ford, bathes on the fourth day, and offers tarpaṇa with cupped hands to gods and other recipients along the riverbank.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; Brahmā shrine at left with stylized icon, pilgrim in añjali, then river scene with ghats, devotee offering tarpaṇa, rhythmic composition, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; Brahmā figure/shrine with gold halo, Phalgu river rendered with gold highlights, devotee bathing and offering tarpaṇa, ornate border and embossed jewelry on deities.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; sequential panels—(1) Brahmā-namaskāra, (2) Phalgu snāna, (3) deva-ādi tarpaṇa; clean lines, didactic clarity, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; detailed riverside ghat at Phalgu, pilgrim bathing, offering libations, small Brahmā shrine in background, attendants and pilgrims, fine architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Gaur Malhar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: brahmāṇañca → brahmāṇam ca; śatamuddharet → śatam uddharet; 'hni → ahni; devāditarpaṇaṃ → deva-ādi-tarpaṇam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 115 (tīrtha itinerary: third-day Brahma-saras, fourth-day Phalgu)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific ritual sequence: offer reverence to Brahmā, bathe at Phalgu-tīrtha on the fourth day, and then perform devādi-tarpaṇa (libations to gods and other designated recipients), emphasizing the rite’s role in lineage-benefit.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual dimension—detailing pilgrimage timing (a specific day), sacred geography (Phalgu-tīrtha), and standardized rites (tarpaṇa)—alongside its broader coverage of dharma, worship, and expiatory/merit-producing acts.
The verse presents the act as highly merit-generating: correct worship and tarpaṇa performed at a potent tīrtha is said to ‘uplift’ (uddharet) a substantial portion of one’s lineage, indicating purification and ancestral benefit.
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