Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 36
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
गङ्गायां शान्तनोर्भीष्मः काल्यायां विचित्रवीर्यकः कृष्णद्वैपायनश् चैव क्षेत्रे वैचित्रवीर्यके
gaṅgāyāṃ śāntanorbhīṣmaḥ kālyāyāṃ vicitravīryakaḥ kṛṣṇadvaipāyanaś caiva kṣetre vaicitravīryake
من شانتانو (Śāntanu)، وعن طريق الغانغا (Gaṅgā)، وُلِدَ بهيشما (Bhīṣma)؛ وعن طريق كاليا (Kālyā) وُلِدَ فيتشيترافيرْيا (Vicitravīrya)؛ وكذلك صار كريشنا-دْفايبايانا (Kṛṣṇa-Dvaipāyana، فياسا Vyāsa) مُنْجِبًا في الكْشِترا (kṣetra: الحقل/المجال) الخاص بفيتشيترافيرْيا.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Lineage-recall for Itihasa-Purana study, śrāddha/vaṁśa-smaraṇa contexts, and understanding kṣetra-putra (niyoga) as a dharmic institution in epic history.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śāntanu Line: Bhīṣma, Vicitravīrya, and Vyāsa as Kṣetraja Begetter","lookup_keywords":["Śāntanu","Bhīṣma","Vicitravīrya","Vyāsa","kṣetraja"],"quick_summary":"Summarizes the Kuru royal succession: Bhīṣma from Gaṅgā, Vicitravīrya from Kālyā/Satyavatī, and Vyāsa functioning as kṣetraja-janaka for Vicitravīrya’s line. Useful for mapping Mahābhārata genealogy and the dharma of niyoga."}
Concept: Kṣetraja/niyoga as a dharmically framed means of preserving lineage when the legal husband cannot beget heirs.
Application: Interpreting epic genealogies with dharma categories (aurasa vs kṣetraja) and understanding how social duty and continuity are narrated in Purāṇic summaries.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purana Genealogy (Mahabharata lineage references)
Primary Rasa: itihasa
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A genealogical tableau: Śāntanu with Gaṅgā presenting infant Bhīṣma; Satyavatī/Kālyā associated with Vicitravīrya; Vyāsa depicted as the sage who begets heirs in Vicitravīrya’s kṣetra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, Śāntanu and Gaṅgā by a riverbank with lotus motifs, infant Bhīṣma, Satyavatī beside a royal pavilion, Vyāsa as dark-complexioned sage with matted hair, narrative panels separated by ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central royal couple Śāntanu–Gaṅgā with gold halo work, side vignette of Satyavatī and Vicitravīrya, Vyāsa seated with palm-leaf manuscript, rich jewelry and embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework, labeled figures (Śāntanu, Gaṅgā, Bhīṣma, Satyavatī, Vicitravīrya, Vyāsa), calm courtly setting with river in background, instructional genealogical composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scene with Śāntanu near the Gaṅgā, delicate landscape wash, separate inset showing Vyāsa as ascetic in a hermitage, fine textiles and precise facial portraiture, marginal notes indicating lineage."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शान्तनोर्भीष्मः = शान्तनोः + भीष्मः; कृष्णद्वैपायनश् = कृष्णद्वैपायनः; चैव = च + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 277 (Itihasa–Vamsha summaries continuing through Parikṣit and successors)
FAQs
It conveys the dharma–genealogical concept of kṣetra (the womb/lineage-field) and the idea of a sanctioned begetter (as in niyoga/kshetra tradition) for continuation of a royal line.
By preserving Itihāsa-linked dynastic data (Śāntanu–Bhīṣma–Vicitravīrya–Vyāsa) and explaining lineage mechanics (kṣetra), it functions as a compact reference index connecting Purāṇic catalogues with the Mahābhārata narrative.
It frames lineage-continuation as a dharmic duty: sustaining the family line and ancestral obligations (pitṛ-kārya) through a legitimate kṣetra arrangement is treated as meritorious and socially stabilizing.