Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 3
Chapter 109 — Tīrtha-mahātmya
The Glory of Sacred Pilgrimage Places
निष्पपस्तीर्थयात्री तु सर्वयज्ञफलं लभेत् अनुपोष्य त्रिरात्रीणि तीर्थान्यनभिगम्य च
niṣpapastīrthayātrī tu sarvayajñaphalaṃ labhet anupoṣya trirātrīṇi tīrthānyanabhigamya ca
Seorang peziarah yang bebas daripada dosa memperoleh pahala setara dengan semua yajña. Dan dengan berpuasa selama tiga malam—tanpa mengunjungi tīrtha yang lain—dia meraih buah itu.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical of the Agni Purana’s frame narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Gives a specific expiatory/observance rule: a three-night fast with single-pointed tīrtha observance (not hopping to other tīrthas) to gain yajña-equivalent merit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Trirātra-upavāsa at a tīrtha for sarva-yajña-phala","lookup_keywords":["triratra","upavasa","tirtha-yatri","sarva-yajna-phala","niyama"],"quick_summary":"A sin-free pilgrim gains sacrifice-like merit; a focused three-night fast at a tīrtha—without visiting other fords—intensifies the fruit."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Vrata and inner purity can yield yajña-phala; ekāgratā (single-pointed observance) is emphasized by avoiding tīrtha-hopping.
Application: Choose one tīrtha, keep a three-night observance with purity and restraint, and avoid dispersing attention across multiple sites for mere accumulation.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-yatra & Vrata-vidhi (Pilgrimage observances and expiatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim seated near a river-ford or temple tank, observing a three-night fast with prayer and vigil, staying within one sacred precinct.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: night-time vigil by a tīrtha-ghāṭa with oil lamps; pilgrim in meditation posture, minimal food bowl untouched; stylized water and temple steps; subdued yet warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: pilgrim before a deity shrine at the tīrtha, lamps and gold ornamentation; three small moons or three lamp clusters symbolizing trirātra; rich gold work and devotional symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: sequential narrative—three panels for three nights: dusk prayer, midnight vigil, dawn bath; clear instructional labeling; soft palette and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: riverside encampment; pilgrim with rosary, attendants resting; calendar-like three-night motif in border; delicate landscape and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: niṣpapastīrthayātrī = niṣpapaḥ + tīrthayātrī (visarga loss before t); tīrthānyanabhigamya = tīrthāni + anabhigamya (i+a→ya).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Prāyaścitta/vṛata discussions (fasts and expiations); Agni Purana: Yajña-related summaries (merit comparisons)
FAQs
It prescribes a pilgrimage discipline: a three-night fasting (or restricted-diet) observance connected to a tīrtha, emphasizing focused practice rather than moving among multiple pilgrimage sites.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purana codifies practical dharma—pilgrimage protocols, fasting durations, and merit-calculus—functioning as a ritual handbook within its broad encyclopedic scope.
It teaches that purified intent and disciplined restraint at a tīrtha can yield sacrificial-level merit, highlighting inner purification and focused observance as powerful means of karmic uplift.