Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 3
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇanam
Description of the Incarnation of Śrī Rāma
ततस्तस्मात्तथेक्ष्वाकुस् तस्य वंशे ककुत्स्थकः ककुत्स्थस्य रघुस्तस्माद् अजो दशरथस्ततः
tatastasmāttathekṣvākus tasya vaṃśe kakutsthakaḥ kakutsthasya raghustasmād ajo daśarathastataḥ
ثم منه وُلد إكشڤاكو؛ وفي سلالته ظهر كاكوتسثا. ومن كاكوتسثا جاء راغهو؛ ومنه جاء أجا؛ ثم جاء داشاراثا.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic genealogy in encyclopedic summary style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Gives the Solar dynasty succession used to contextualize Rāma’s birth and the dharmic kingship ideal; supports ritual recitations and genealogical memory in itihāsa teaching.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sūryavaṃśa succession: Ikṣvāku → Kakutstha → Raghu → Aja → Daśaratha","lookup_keywords":["Ikṣvāku","Kakutstha","Raghu","Aja","Daśaratha"],"quick_summary":"A compact dynastic chain situates Daśaratha (and thus Rāma) within the Sūryavaṃśa, reinforcing continuity of righteous kingship and narrative chronology."}
Alamkara Type: Anukrama (genealogical enumeration)
Concept: Legitimate rule is framed through lineage and inherited dharma; kingship is presented as a continuity of responsibility (rāja-dharma) across generations.
Application: In teaching or discourse on governance/ethics, use the Sūryavaṃśa chain to illustrate ideals of succession, duty, and the cultural memory of righteous rule.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharita (Dynastic Genealogies / Solar Dynasty)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A genealogical tableau of Ayodhyā’s solar kings: Ikṣvāku, Kakutstha, Raghu, Aja, and Daśaratha shown as successive crowned figures, possibly with a stylized lineage tree or descending panels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, five royal figures in traditional attire with halos, arranged in a lineage sequence with Ayodhyā palace motifs, bold outlines and warm palette, ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, five kings in gold-embellished crowns and jewelry, each in a framed panel connected by a gold vine/lineage motif, rich reds and greens, temple-like arch frames","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic lineage chart with elegant portraits of each king, subtle palace background, fine detailing of textiles and crowns, clear sequential arrangement","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly portraits of the five kings in an architectural setting, each in a separate cartouche connected by a painted genealogical line, delicate facial features and refined palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ततस्तस्मात्तथेक्ष्वाकुः = ततः + तस्मात् + तथा + इक्ष्वाकुः (multiple sandhi: -as + t- assimilation; तथा + इ- → तथै-). दशरथस्ततः = दशरथः + ततः (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Adhyaya 5: continuation into Rāma narrative after establishing lineage; Agni Purana: rāja-dharma and nīti-related passages (elsewhere)
FAQs
This verse primarily transmits itihāsa–purāṇa vidyā in the form of royal genealogy (vaṃśāvalī), preserving the succession of the Ikṣvāku/Sūryavaṃśa kings rather than prescribing a ritual or medical technique.
By cataloging dynastic succession (Ikṣvāku → Kakutstha → Raghu → Aja → Daśaratha), it adds historical–genealogical indexing to the text’s broad coverage, alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences—functioning like a purāṇic reference register.
Remembering and reciting righteous royal lineages is treated in Purāṇic tradition as smṛti of dharma-bearing ancestors; it supports śraddhā in dharma and is considered purifying as part of purāṇa-śravaṇa (hearing/recitation of sacred histories).