Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 6
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
कोटीतीर्थे च कोटीशं नत्वामोघपदे नरः गदालोले वानरके गोप्रचारे च पिण्डदः
koṭītīrthe ca koṭīśaṃ natvāmoghapade naraḥ gadālole vānarake gopracāre ca piṇḍadaḥ
കോടിതീർത്ഥത്തിൽ കോടീശനെ നമസ്കരിച്ച്, അമോഘപദത്തിൽ; കൂടാതെ ഗദാലോല, വാനരക, ഗോപ്രചാര എന്നിവിടങ്ങളിലും മനുഷ്യൻ പിണ്ഡദാനം ചെയ്യണം.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Pilgrimage-śrāddha protocol: at Koṭitīrtha bow to Koṭīśa and perform piṇḍa-dāna at a set of named stations (Amoghapada, Gadālola, Vānaraka, Gopracāra).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Koṭitīrtha circuit for piṇḍa-dāna (Koṭīśa–Amoghapada–Gadālola–Vānaraka–Gopracāra)","lookup_keywords":["Koṭitīrtha","Koṭīśa","Amoghapada","Gadālola","piṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists a sequence of places where one should bow to the presiding deity (Koṭīśa) and offer piṇḍas, presenting a compact itinerary for tīrtha-śrāddha."}
Concept: Place-based dharma: merit accrues through correct honoring of kṣetra-devatā and pitṛs at designated nodes.
Application: Treat the list as a checklist for pilgrimage śrāddha—salutation first, then offering—maintaining continuity of intention (saṅkalpa) across stations.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Mahatmya (Pilgrimage and sacred-place merits)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim at Koṭitīrtha bows before a Koṭīśa shrine, then walks through a landscape of multiple small sacred spots—Amoghapada, Gadālola, Vānaraka, Gopracāra—offering piṇḍas at each water-edge or stone platform.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with a continuous narrative band: Koṭīśa shrine by water, then successive labeled stations with the pilgrim repeating piṇḍa placement, stylized trees and temple architecture, tranquil mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore with gold on shrine finials and offering plates, central Koṭīśa shrine, smaller vignettes of the other stations around, rich colors and ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional composition: map-like layout of the five stations with arrows, pilgrim figure repeated at each node offering piṇḍas, clear labels, soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature travel itinerary: winding path connecting five scenic locales, small shrine pavilions, attendants carrying ritual items, fine landscape detailing and water reflections."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नत्वामोघपदे = नत्वा + अमोघ-पदे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 116 (tīrtha-māhātmya/śrāddha lists)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific śrāddha practice: offering piṇḍa (funerary rice-balls) at named tīrthas after paying reverence to the presiding deity (Koṭīśa).
It catalogs ritual actions linked to a mapped sacred geography—connecting place-names, deity-veneration, and śrāddha procedure—illustrating the text’s compendium-style coverage of pilgrimage and dharmic rites.
Piṇḍa-dāna at tīrthas is taught as a merit-bearing act that supports ancestral well-being (pitṛ-tarpaṇa) and is associated with purification and dharmic merit for the practitioner.
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