Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 8
Chapter 116 — गयायात्राविधिः (Gayā-yātrā-vidhiḥ) | The Procedure for the Gayā Pilgrimage
तृतीयायां विशालायां निश्चिरायाञ्च पिण्डदः ऋणमोक्षे पापमोक्षे भस्मकुण्डे ऽथ भस्मना
tṛtīyāyāṃ viśālāyāṃ niścirāyāñca piṇḍadaḥ ṛṇamokṣe pāpamokṣe bhasmakuṇḍe 'tha bhasmanā
ณทีรถะที่สามชื่อ ‘วิศาลา’ และที่ ‘นิศจิรา’ ผู้ถวายปิณฑะย่อมได้ความหลุดพ้น ณ ‘ฤณโมกษะ’ และ ‘ปาปโมกษะ’ ย่อมพ้นจากหนี้และบาป; และ ณ ‘ภัสมกุณฑะ’ ย่อมได้บุญด้วยการใช้เถ้าศักดิ์สิทธิ์ (ภัสมะ)
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Pilgrimage planning for śrāddha: selecting specific tīrthas for piṇḍa-dāna, debt-relief (ṛṇa-śānti), sin-expatiation (pāpa-kṣaya), and use of bhasma as a purifier.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Tīrtha-phala for Piṇḍa-dāna: Viśālā, Niścirā, Ṛṇamokṣa, Pāpamokṣa, Bhasmakuṇḍa","lookup_keywords":["Viśālā tīrtha","Niścirā","Ṛṇamokṣa","Pāpamokṣa","Bhasmakuṇḍa bhasma"],"quick_summary":"The verse maps specific tīrthas to specific results: liberation through piṇḍa-dāna, release from debts and sins, and purification/merit through sacred ash at Bhasmakuṇḍa."}
Concept: Karma-kṣaya through tīrtha, dāna, and śuddhi-dravya (bhasma).
Application: Perform piṇḍa-dāna and snāna at designated tīrthas with intent (saṅkalpa) for debt/sin release and purification.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha & Pretakriyā (Piṇḍa-dāna, Tīrtha-snānāni, Prāyaścitta)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim at multiple tīrthas offering piṇḍas on riverbank altars; a separate vignette shows Bhasmakuṇḍa where sacred ash is applied as purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, riverbank tīrtha with stone ghats, pilgrim in white dhoti offering piṇḍa on leaf plate, labeled tīrthas as small shrine markers, Bhasmakuṇḍa with ash-smeared ascetics, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central tīrtha shrine with ornate arch, pilgrim offering piṇḍa, gold-leaf highlights on shrine and vessels, small inset of Bhasmakuṇḍa with bhasma bowl, rich maroons and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout: five labeled tīrthas in panels, each panel shows the act (piṇḍa-dāna, snāna, bhasma application), delicate linework, soft shading, clear ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic pilgrimage route with multiple stops, attendants carrying offerings, river scenes, small captions for Viśālā/Niścirā/Ṛṇamokṣa/Pāpamokṣa/Bhasmakuṇḍa, fine architectural detail and naturalistic landscape"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निश्चिरायाञ्च = निश्चिरायाम् + च; कुण्डे ऽथ = कुण्डे + अथ (अवग्रह).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 116 (Śrāddha & Pretakriyā section); Agni Purana śrāddha/tīrtha-māhātmya passages in adjacent verses (116.9–116.12)
FAQs
It lists specific tīrthas where performing piṇḍa-dāna (śrāddha offering) and using bhasma (sacred ash) is said to yield defined results—release from debts (ṛṇa) and sins (pāpa), and general purification/merit at Bhasmakuṇḍa.
It functions as a compact ritual gazetteer—mapping practices (piṇḍa-dāna, bhasma-upayoga) to named sacred sites and their fruits—showing how the text catalogs geography, rites, and expiatory outcomes in a reference-like style.
The verse frames tīrtha-based śrāddha and ash-purification as mechanisms for karmic alleviation—specifically, mitigating indebtedness and sin—thereby supporting ancestral welfare and the practitioner’s purification.