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
গঙ্গার গর্ভে শান্তনুর পুত্র ভীষ্ম জন্মালেন; কাল্যার গর্ভে বিচিত্রবীর্য জন্মাল। আর কৃষ্ণদ্বৈপায়ন (ব্যাস)ও বিচিত্রবীর্যের ক্ষেত্রে বীজদাতা হলেন।
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.