Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 7
Chapter 109 — Tīrtha-mahātmya
The Glory of Sacred Pilgrimage Places
अश्वमेधफलं प्राप्य ब्रह्मलोकं प्रयान्ति ते कार्त्तिक्यामन्नदानाच्च निर्मलो ब्रह्मलोकभाक्
aśvamedhaphalaṃ prāpya brahmalokaṃ prayānti te kārttikyāmannadānācca nirmalo brahmalokabhāk
เมื่อได้บุญเทียบเท่าพิธีอัศวเมธแล้ว เขาย่อมไปสู่พรหมโลก. และด้วยการถวายทานเป็นอาหารในเดือนการ์ตติกะ บุคคลย่อมบริสุทธิ์และได้ส่วนแห่งพรหมโลก.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Encourages annadāna in Kārttika and frames its merit as equivalent to major śrauta sacrifice; guides seasonal charity practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Kārttika-annadāna merit equated with Aśvamedha; Brahmaloka-phala","lookup_keywords":["karttika","annadana","ashvamedha-phala","brahmaloka","dana-dharma"],"quick_summary":"Food-giving in Kārttika is praised as highly purifying and as conferring Brahmaloka, with merit likened to the Aśvamedha."}
Concept: Dāna—especially annadāna in sacred time—purifies and elevates the giver to higher lokas.
Application: Undertake Kārttika annadāna (feeding guests, poor, pilgrims, brahmins) with purity of means and intent; pair with vrata-like restraint for enhanced śuddhi.
Khanda Section: Dāna-dharma (Charity, Vrata, and Merit of Gifts)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A donor distributing food during Kārttika—rows of recipients, a clean kitchen/annakṣetra setting—while a symbolic vision of Brahmaloka or Brahmā’s realm appears above, indicating the fruit of the gift.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple-annadāna hall with banana-leaf meals, lamps of Kārttika, donor in traditional attire offering rice; above, stylized Brahmaloka with Brahmā seated, warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central annadāna scene with ornate vessels, gold-highlighted lamps, and a radiant Brahmā/Brahmaloka vignette in the upper register; heavy gold work and rich reds.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: detailed, orderly depiction of charitable distribution—measuring grain, serving food, washing hands—soft palette, fine lines, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly yet compassionate food distribution with meticulous utensils and textiles; upper border shows celestial Brahmaloka imagery; fine brushwork and architectural depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अश्वमेधफलं = अश्वमेध + फलम्; ब्रह्मलोकं = ब्रह्म + लोकम्; कार्त्तिक्यामन्नदानाच्च = कार्त्तिक्याम् + अन्नदानात् + च; ब्रह्मलोकभाक् = ब्रह्म + लोक + भाक् (समास)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dāna-dharma chapters on annadāna and kāla-viśeṣa (general); Agni Purana: Vrata sections on Kārttika observances (general)
FAQs
It teaches dāna-dharma practice: performing anna-dāna (donation of food), especially during Kārttika, is prescribed as a high-merit act comparable in fruit to major Vedic sacrifices.
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s catalog of practical religious disciplines—mapping specific times (Kārttika), acts (food-giving), and results (purification and Brahmaloka)—alongside broader ritual topics like great yajñas.
The verse frames anna-dāna in Kārttika as a purifier (nirmalatā) that yields exceptionally high puṇya, culminating in the attainment of Brahmaloka.