Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 18
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
देवरातः कतिमुखा विश्वामित्रस्य ते सुताः शुनःशेफो ऽष्टकश्चान्यो ह्य् अजमीढात् सुतो ऽभवत्
devarātaḥ katimukhā viśvāmitrasya te sutāḥ śunaḥśepho 'ṣṭakaścānyo hy ajamīḍhāt suto 'bhavat
كان دِيفَرَاتَ وكَتِيمُخَا من أبناء فِشْفَامِتْرَ. وكذلك شُونَحْشِيفَ وآخر يُدعى أَشْتَكَ—حقًّا—عُدَّا أبناءً مرتبطين بسلالة أَجَمِيḍha.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic genealogies, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Identifies Viśvāmitra’s sons and connects Śunaḥśepha/Aṣṭaka traditions to the Ajamīḍha line—useful for aligning Purāṇic genealogy with Vedic-ritual narratives (Śunaḥśepha episode).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Viśvāmitra’s sons and Śunaḥśepha/Aṣṭaka linkage","lookup_keywords":["Devarāta","Katimukhā","Viśvāmitra-putra","Śunaḥśepha","Aṣṭaka"],"quick_summary":"Lists key descendants of Viśvāmitra and notes Śunaḥśepha and Aṣṭaka as connected into the Ajamīḍha lineage, bridging Purāṇic vaṃśa with Vedic ritual lore."}
Concept: Lineage can be reconfigured through ritual/ethical resolution (as in Śunaḥśepha traditions), showing dharma’s role in social incorporation.
Application: Interpreting Purāṇic genealogies alongside śrauta narratives; understanding how r̥ṣi lineages absorb figures through dharma/ritual outcomes.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharita (Genealogies and lineages of sages and kings)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage-family register: Viśvāmitra seated in āśrama with two sons (Devarāta, Katimukhā) nearby; a secondary vignette alludes to Śunaḥśepha and Aṣṭaka being incorporated into the Ajamīḍha line via a symbolic thread/scroll.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viśvāmitra in hermitage with disciples, two sons standing with folded hands, a palm-leaf manuscript showing names Śunaḥśepha and Aṣṭaka, subdued forest backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Viśvāmitra with golden halo, Devarāta and Katimukhā as smaller attendant figures, ornate name cartouches; include a sacred thread motif linking Śunaḥśepha/Aṣṭaka to a royal emblem of Ajamīḍha.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional genealogical diagram integrated into the scene: arrows from Viśvāmitra to sons; side panel showing Śunaḥśepha and Aṣṭaka with a connecting line to Ajamīḍha, fine detailing and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, split composition: left—Viśvāmitra’s āśrama with sons; right—formal genealogical register with calligraphy linking Śunaḥśepha and Aṣṭaka to Ajamīḍha; delicate flora and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Raga Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुनःशेफो 'ष्टकश्चान्यो → शुनःशेफः अष्टकः च अन्यः; ह्य् अजमीढात् → हि अजमीढात्; सुतो 'भवत् → सुतः अभवत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana genealogical continuation around Kuśika–Viśvāmitra line; Agni Purana mantra/stotra sections where Viśvāmitra is invoked as r̥ṣi in mantra-nyāsa contexts (general linkage)
FAQs
This verse primarily transmits vamśa-vidyā (genealogical knowledge): the identification of persons and their lineage connections, rather than a ritual procedure.
By preserving precise lineage data (rishis and royal lines), it functions as a historical-index layer within the Agni Purana’s broader compendium of subjects—supporting cross-references to dharma, rites, and narratives tied to specific families.
Remembering and reciting puranic genealogies is traditionally treated as smṛti-saṃrakṣaṇa (preservation of sacred memory), supporting śraddhā and continuity of dharma through awareness of rishi and royal lineages.