Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 2
Chapter 109 — Tīrtha-mahātmya
The Glory of Sacred Pilgrimage Places
विद्या तपश् च कीर्तिश् च स तीर्थफलमश्नुते स्वसंयतमिति घ प्रतिग्राहादुपावृत्तो लघ्वाहारो जितेन्द्रियः
vidyā tapaś ca kīrtiś ca sa tīrthaphalamaśnute svasaṃyatamiti gha pratigrāhādupāvṛtto laghvāhāro jitendriyaḥ
วิชา ตบะ และเกียรติยศ—ผู้นั้นย่อมได้ผลแห่งการไปทีรถะ ควรเป็นผู้สำรวมตน เว้นจากการรับของกำนัล กินพอประมาณ และชนะอินทรีย์ทั้งหลาย
Lord Agni (teaching the Agni Purana’s dharma topics in dialogue form)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Defines the pilgrim’s observances: self-restraint, refusal of gift-taking, light diet, and sense-control—practical rules for tīrtha-yātrā conduct.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Tīrtha-yātrā-niyama: vidyā–tapas–kīrti and ascetic disciplines","lookup_keywords":["tirtha-yatra","niyama","laghvahara","jitendriya","apratigraha"],"quick_summary":"Pilgrimage bears fruit when paired with learning, austerity, and ethical reputation, supported by disciplines like non-acceptance of gifts, light eating, and conquered senses."}
Concept: Apara-sādhanā (ethical and ascetic regimen) supports spiritual efficacy: vidyā, tapas, and controlled living make tīrtha-phala attainable.
Application: During pilgrimage: keep study/recitation, practice austerity, avoid transactional religiosity (gift-seeking), eat lightly, and restrain senses.
Khanda Section: Tīrtha-yātrā & Vrata-dharma (Pilgrimage merit and ascetic discipline)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim-scholar practicing austerity: carrying a manuscript, eating sparingly, declining gifts, maintaining composed senses while walking toward a tīrtha.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: pilgrim in simple garments with kamaṇḍalu and palm-leaf text, gently refusing offered coins/cows; background of temple tank and banyan; calm, restrained expressions; warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central pilgrim figure with gold halo-like ornamentation signifying kīrti; attendants offering gifts which he declines; decorative gold work on vessels and borders; vibrant reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic panel with four vignettes labeled—vidyā (study), tapas (austerity), apratigraha (refusal), laghvāhāra (small meal); fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: roadside scene near a river-ford; a learned pilgrim reading, a donor offering gifts, pilgrim politely declining; detailed textiles, naturalistic landscape, calligraphy captioning ‘jitendriya’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tapaś ca = tapaḥ + ca (visarga→ś before c); kīrtiś ca = kīrtiḥ + ca (visarga→ś); tīrthaphalamaśnute = tīrthaphalam + aśnute (m+a); pratigrāhādupāvṛtto = pratigrāhāt + upāvṛttaḥ (t+u sandhi; final form in text shows gemination/orthography).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dāna-dharma chapters (rules of giving/receiving); Agni Purana: Vrata-vidhi chapters (fasting and restraints)
FAQs
It teaches the practical discipline that makes pilgrimage fruitful: cultivate learning (vidyā), austerity (tapas), and ethical conduct expressed as self-restraint—especially refraining from gift-taking (pratigraha), eating lightly (laghvāhāra), and mastering the senses (jitendriya).
Alongside rituals and sacred geography, it codifies behavioral dharma—linking external pilgrimage (tīrtha) with inner qualifications (saṃyama, diet, restraint from receiving gifts). This shows the text’s breadth: it is not only about places and rites but also about ethics and disciplined living.
The verse implies tīrtha-merit is perfected by inner purity: self-control, non-dependence on gifts, moderation in food, and sense-mastery reduce karmic entanglement and make religious acts yield full purifying results.