Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 17
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
सर्वत्रगाद्या रुद्राख्यः सावर्णिभविता मनुः ऋतधामा सुरेन्द्रश् च हरिताद्याश् च देवताः
sarvatragādyā rudrākhyaḥ sāvarṇibhavitā manuḥ ṛtadhāmā surendraś ca haritādyāś ca devatāḥ
ذُكرت الآلهة التي تبدأ بسارفاتراغا؛ ورودرآخيا هو إندرا؛ وسافارني سيكون مانو؛ وريتادهامان يُسمّى أيضًا سيد الآلهة؛ وأُعلن جماع الديفات الذي يبدأ بهاريتا.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Purāṇic time-reckoning: mapping a given Manvantara to its Manu, Indra, Saptarṣi set, and Deva-gaṇa for calendrical/itihāsa-purāṇa study and ritual sankalpa context.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sāvarṇi-Manvantara: Manu–Indra–Deva-gaṇa enumeration","lookup_keywords":["Sāvarṇi Manu","Rudrākhya Indra","Harita devatā-gaṇa","Ṛtadhāman","Manvantara list"],"quick_summary":"This verse functions as a roster: it identifies the Manu (Sāvarṇi), the Indra (Rudrākhya), and the deva-groups (Sarvatragā-ādi; Harita-ādi) used to index that Manvantara in Purāṇic chronology."}
Concept: Ṛta as cosmic administration through offices (Manu/Indra/Deva-gaṇa) recurring across Manvantaras.
Application: Use as a mnemonic framework for Purāṇic cosmology: identify ‘who governs’ a Manvantara when reading genealogies or performing Purāṇic recitations.
Khanda Section: Manvantara and Puranic Chronology (Manu lineage, Indra and Deva-groups)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic register scene: sages or a divine scribe inscribing the roster of a Manvantara—Manu Sāvarṇi enthroned, Indra Rudrākhya nearby, and deva-groups labeled Sarvatragā-ādi and Harita-ādi arranged in tiers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, Manu Sāvarṇi seated on lotus throne, Indra Rudrākhya with regal ornaments, rows of devas in symmetrical bands with palm-leaf manuscript motif, cosmic backdrop with mandala clouds","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Manu Sāvarṇi with gold foil halo and arch, Indra Rudrākhya at side, deva-groups in smaller panels, rich reds and greens, heavy jewelry, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, soft shading, a ‘cosmic chart’ composition with labeled figures, manuscript and stylus, orderly tiers of devas, subdued elegance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly assembly as celestial durbar, Manu as lawgiver-king, Indra as commander, attendants representing deva-groups, fine calligraphy cartouches naming Sarvatragā and Harita, detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वत्रगाद्याः = सर्वत्रगा + आद्याः; हरिताद्याः = हरिता + आद्याः; सुरेन्द्रश् च = सुरेन्द्रः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 150 (Manvantara-varṇana context); Agni Purana manvantara lists in adjacent verses 150.18–150.21
FAQs
This verse imparts Purāṇic chronological knowledge (Manvantara-vidyā): it identifies the Manu, the Indra (Surendra), and specific deva-groups for a given Manvantara.
By cataloging Manus, Indras, and deva-gaṇas, it functions like a cosmological index—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark “reference sections” that systematize time-cycles and divine administrations alongside its ritual, political, medical, and literary materials.
Remembering and studying the Manvantara order is traditionally treated as a form of dharmic recollection of cosmic ṛta (order), strengthening right understanding of time, duty, and the divine governance of the worlds.