Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 11
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
तं दृष्ट्वा पुण्डरीकाक्षं मुच्यते वै ऋणत्रयात् मार्कण्डेयेश्वरं नत्वा नमेद्गृध्रेश्वरं नरः
taṃ dṛṣṭvā puṇḍarīkākṣaṃ mucyate vai ṛṇatrayāt mārkaṇḍeyeśvaraṃ natvā namedgṛdhreśvaraṃ naraḥ
เมื่อได้เห็นพระผู้มีเนตรดุจดอกบัวนั้น ย่อมหลุดพ้นจากหนี้สามประการโดยแท้ ครั้นนอบน้อมแด่มารกัณฑเยศวรแล้ว บุรุษพึงนอบน้อมแด่คฤธเรศวรด้วย
Lord Agni (narrating the kshetra/tirtha-mahatmya material to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Pilgrimage checklist: darśana of Puṇḍarīkākṣa for release from ṛṇa-traya, then sequential namaskāra to Mārkaṇḍeyeśvara and Gṛdhreśvara as part of kṣetra-caryā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Darśana-namaskāra sequence and Ṛṇa-traya-mokṣa","lookup_keywords":["Puṇḍarīkākṣa darśana","ṛṇa-traya","Mārkaṇḍeyeśvara","Gṛdhreśvara","tīrtha-mahātmya"],"quick_summary":"Seeing the lotus-eyed Lord grants freedom from the three debts; the pilgrim should also bow to the Śiva-lingas Mārkaṇḍeyeśvara and Gṛdhreśvara as part of the sacred circuit."}
Alamkara Type: Lakṣaṇā/epithet (Puṇḍarīkākṣa)
Concept: Ṛṇa-traya (debt to Devas, Ṛṣis, Pitṛs) is resolved through dharmic acts culminating in darśana and worship.
Application: Undertake prescribed worship: darśana of Viṣṇu and respectful salutations to associated Śiva shrines, integrating pitṛ/ṛṣi/deva obligations.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Mahatmya / Shiva-Kshetra-Stotra (Pilgrimage merit and praise of sacred forms)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim beholds Puṇḍarīkākṣa in a shrine, then proceeds to bow before two Śiva shrines labeled Mārkaṇḍeyeśvara and Gṛdhreśvara, completing a sacred circuit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych composition: Viṣṇu with lotus eyes in central sanctum, pilgrim in namaskāra; side panels show two liṅga shrines with name banners, bold outlines and temple colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu darśana scene with gold arch, below two smaller gold-framed liṅgas for Mārkaṇḍeyeśvara and Gṛdhreśvara, devotee moving in sequence, rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, processional instructional scene with numbered steps (1 darśana, 2 bow to Mārkaṇḍeyeśvara, 3 bow to Gṛdhreśvara), clean lines, readable shrine labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard of temples with pilgrims, Viṣṇu shrine and two Śiva shrines in perspective, subtle inscriptions, detailed textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhoopali","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नामेद्गृध्रेश्वरम् = नमेत् + गृध्रेश्वरम् (त् + ग् → द्ग्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 116 (tīrtha-mahātmya and śrāddha context)
FAQs
It teaches a practical tirtha-ritual sequence: obtain darśana of Puṇḍarīkākṣa (Viṣṇu) for release from ṛṇatraya, then perform namaskāra to specific Śiva-forms—Mārkaṇḍeyeśvara and Gṛdhreśvara—indicating prescribed salutations at linked sacred sites.
By cataloging merit (phala) associated with specific darśanas and namaskāras, it functions like a pilgrimage handbook—integrating theology (Viṣṇu/Śiva), ritual action (darśana, namaskāra), and karmic doctrine (ṛṇatraya), a hallmark of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging, reference-style coverage.
The verse links sacred sight and reverential bowing to karmic purification: seeing Puṇḍarīkākṣa is said to remove the binding obligations of the three debts, and bowing to the named Śiva-forms accrues merit and reinforces devotional discipline across Vaiṣṇava and Śaiva spheres.