Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 17
Svāyambhuva-vaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lineage of Svāyambhuva Manu
सह देवैर् मुनिगणैर् गन्धर्वैः साप्सरोगणैः पितृभिर्दानवैः सर्पैर् वीरुद्भिः पर्वतैर् जनैः
saha devair munigaṇair gandharvaiḥ sāpsarogaṇaiḥ pitṛbhirdānavaiḥ sarpair vīrudbhiḥ parvatair janaiḥ
Zusammen mit den Göttern, den Scharen der Weisen (Munis), den Gandharvas und den Gruppen der Apsaras; mit den Pitṛs, den Dānavas und den Schlangen; mit Ranken und Pflanzen, den Bergen und den Völkern.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Frames a universal assembly including divine, semi-divine, ancestral, demonic, serpentine, botanical, geological, and human orders—useful for mapping cosmological taxonomy in teaching/ritual narration.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Universal Assembly of Beings (Deva to Sthavara)","lookup_keywords":["deva","muni-gana","gandharva","pitr","sthavara-jangama"],"quick_summary":"A catalog of cosmic participants spanning gods, sages, celestial musicians, ancestors, demons, serpents, plants, mountains, and peoples—signaling totality of creation."}
Alamkara Type: Samuccaya
Concept: Interconnected hierarchy of beings (jangama-sthavara) within one cosmic order.
Application: Contemplative practice: cultivate reverence for all classes of life; ritual recitation can invoke ‘sarva-bhuta’ inclusion.
Khanda Section: Cosmology and Sacred Geography (Sarga/Pralaya; Universal Assemblies)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand cosmic gathering: gods and sages in the sky, Gandharvas with instruments, Apsarases dancing, Pitrs in subtle forms, Danavas and serpents, with plants and mountains personified, and humans assembled below.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: layered cosmic tiers—Devas and rishis above, Gandharvas playing veena, Apsarases in dance; serpents coiling at edges; mountains as guardian forms; rich reds/ochres, bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central divine assembly with gold-leaf halos; side panels showing Gandharvas/Apsarases; lower register with Pitrs and humans; ornamental borders and stylized flora.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: detailed, orderly ‘cosmic chart’ composition; each group labeled by visual attributes (matted hair for munis, instruments for Gandharvas, serpent hoods); soft colors and fine shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: panoramic durbar-like cosmic court; naturalistic figures, delicate textiles; musicians and dancers; mountains and creepers rendered as personified attendants; intricate margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Megh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devair → देवैः; munigaṇair → मुनिगणैः; pitṛbhirdānavaiḥ → पितृभिः + दानवैः; sarpair → सर्पैः; vīrudbhiḥ → वीरुद्भिः; parvatair → पर्वतैः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sarga/pralaya and loka-varnana passages listing beings; Agni Purana sections on gandharva/apsaras and pitri rites
FAQs
This verse primarily conveys cosmological taxonomy—enumerating classes of beings (divine, ancestral, demonic, serpentine, human) and even natural categories (plants, mountains) as participants in a universal order, rather than prescribing a specific ritual procedure.
By cataloging a broad spectrum of existence—from gods and sages to vegetation and mountains—it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic habit of systematizing the universe into named categories used across ritual, myth, and cosmology.
The implied takeaway is the interconnection of all orders of life within dharma and cosmic harmony: recognizing this totality supports reverence, humility, and right conduct toward beings seen and unseen.