Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 5
गङ्गामाहात्म्यं
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
अन्धादयस्तु तां सेव्य देवैर् गच्छन्ति तुल्यतां गङ्गातीर्थसमुद्भूतमृद्धारी सो ऽघहार्कवत्
andhādayastu tāṃ sevya devair gacchanti tulyatāṃ gaṅgātīrthasamudbhūtamṛddhārī so 'ghahārkavat
แม้คนตาบอดเป็นต้น หากบำเพ็ญสักการะแด่ทีรถะแห่งคงคา—ซึ่งแม้เหล่าเทวะยังเคารพ—ย่อมบรรลุความเสมอเทวะ. สิ่งที่อุบัติจากคงคาตีรถะนี้ประทานความรุ่งเรืองและขจัดบาป ดุจพระอาทิตย์ที่ขับไล่ความมืด.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s teachings to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tirtha-yatra Mahatmya (Pilgrimage and Sacred Geography)","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Encourages inclusive access to tīrtha merit—even the disadvantaged (e.g., blind) gain divine-like status through Gaṅgā-tīrtha; motivates pilgrimage and faith-based practice.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gaṅgā-tīrtha as prosperity-giving and sin-destroying like the Sun","lookup_keywords":["Gaṅgā-tīrtha","andha","deva-tulya","ṛddhi-dā","aghahāri","sūrya-dṛṣṭānta"],"quick_summary":"Gaṅgā-tīrtha is praised as honored by the gods, granting devotees—even those with impairments—divine parity; it bestows prosperity and removes sin, compared to the Sun dispelling darkness."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (Gaṅgā-tīrtha like the Sun)
Concept: Bhakti and tīrtha-sevā override limitations of bodily condition; sacred merit is accessible beyond physical capability.
Application: Promote accessible pilgrimage practices (assisted darśana/snānā, guided worship) and community support so all can participate in tīrtha observances.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Mahatmya (Sacred Geography and Merit of Pilgrimage)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Type: Tirtha/River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At a Gaṅgā ghat, a blind devotee is guided to the water; gods in the sky honor the tīrtha; the Sun’s rays metaphorically dispel a dark haze of sin, while prosperity symbols appear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: blind devotee with attendant at the river; Gaṅgā as luminous presence; small devas above with folded hands; strong sun-disc motif; bold outlines and traditional color blocks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: radiant sun with gold foil rays above Gaṅgā; devotee scene at bottom; prosperity motifs (grain, lotus) subtly included; ornate borders and halos.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: compassionate instructional scene—assisted pilgrimage for the blind; clear gestures of guidance and worship; soft shading; emphasis on inclusivity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: bustling ghat with varied pilgrims including an infirm devotee; sunlit atmosphere; devas as faint celestial figures; intricate architectural steps and river reflections."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: अन्धादयस्तु→अन्धादयः + तु; देवैर्→देवैः; गङ्गातीर्थसमुद्भूतम्→गङ्गातीर्थ + समुद्भूतम्; सोऽघहार्कवत्→सः + अघहा + अर्कवत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Gaṅgā-māhātmya sequence (verses on darśana/sparśana/pāna/kīrtana)
FAQs
It teaches tīrtha-sevā (resorting to and honoring a sacred ford of the Gaṅgā) as a practical means of purification and merit, emphasizing that its efficacy applies even to socially or physically disadvantaged persons.
It exemplifies the Purana’s tirtha-māhātmya material—mapping sacred places and codifying their spiritual ‘results’ (puṇya, agha-kṣaya, ṛddhi), alongside the text’s many other domains like ritual, polity, medicine, and aesthetics.
The verse asserts that Gaṅgā-tīrtha removes sin (agha-hā) and confers prosperity (ṛddhi), elevating devotees toward divine-like status—portrayed through the simile of the Sun dispelling darkness.