Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 27
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
देवैः सार्धं सम्प्रपूज्य देवमादिगदाधरम् ऋणत्रयविनिर्मुक्तस्तारयेत् सकलं कुलम्
devaiḥ sārdhaṃ samprapūjya devamādigadādharam ṛṇatrayavinirmuktastārayet sakalaṃ kulam
เมื่อบูชาพร้อมเหล่าเทพแด่พระผู้เป็นเจ้า—อาทิ ผู้ทรงคทา—โดยถูกต้องแล้ว ย่อมพ้นจากหนี้สามประการ และสามารถเกื้อกูลให้วงศ์ตระกูลทั้งสิ้นพ้นภัยได้
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Ritual worship of the primordial Lord (Ādi) as Gadādhara (Viṣṇu) along with the devas, aimed at release from ṛṇa-traya (debts to gods, seers, ancestors) and lineage uplift.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ṛṇa-traya-vimokṣa through Ādi-Gadādhara worship","lookup_keywords":["ṛṇa-traya","deva-ṛṇa","ṛṣi-ṛṇa","pitṛ-ṛṇa","Gadādhara"],"quick_summary":"The verse links devotionally framed pūjā to the classical doctrine of three debts; worship of the Lord with the devas is presented as a means to become free of these obligations and benefit one’s whole family line."}
Weapon Type: Mace (gadā)
Concept: Ṛṇa-traya: obligations to devas (yajña), ṛṣis (svādhyāya), and pitṛs (progeny/śrāddha); bhakti-pūjā as integrative fulfillment
Application: Pair worship with concrete dharma-actions: deva-ṛṇa via yajña/dāna, ṛṣi-ṛṇa via study/teaching, pitṛ-ṛṇa via śrāddha and family responsibilities—using the pūjā as the unifying saṅkalpa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vaishnava Deva-puja and expiation of debts)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Viṣṇu as Gadādhara stands radiant while a circle of devas joins in worship; below, symbolic chains labeled deva-ṛṇa, ṛṣi-ṛṇa, pitṛ-ṛṇa break, and a family lineage is shown being led upward to liberation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Gadādhara with strong stance, devas in semicircle with lamps, stylized broken fetters motif, ancestral line as small figures ascending, bold outlines and warm tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Viṣṇu with prominent gold gadā, devas as smaller gilded figures, embossed broken-chain symbolism at base, rich gold work and jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: Viṣṇu with gadā, three labeled debt symbols dissolving, family tree motif rising, clean lines and soft shading for instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, celestial assembly scene with finely dressed devas, Viṣṇu holding mace, allegorical broken fetters near foreground, detailed family group in lower register, delicate palette and calligraphy"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवमादिगदाधरम् = देवम् + आदिगदाधरम्; ऋणत्रयविनिर्मुक्तस्तारयेत् = ऋणत्रयविनिर्मुक्तः + तारयेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 116 (pūjā-vidhi and phala-śruti); Agni Purana dharma sections on dāna, śrāddha, and vrata (where applicable)
FAQs
It gives a practical ritual principle: proper worship (samprapūjā) of Viṣṇu as Ādi-Gadādhara—performed in accord with the divine order—functions as a means for release from ṛṇa-traya (the three obligatory debts).
It links theology (Viṣṇu as the primordial Lord) with dharma-technical doctrine (the three debts) and ritual efficacy (puja producing purification and merit), showing how the Agni Purana integrates devotion, obligation, and soteriology in a compact rule-like statement.
Freedom from ṛṇa-traya signifies the fulfillment or transcendence of core life-obligations; the verse presents such release as spiritually potent enough to benefit not only the practitioner but also the wider family line (kula-tāraṇa).
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