Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 15
Sargaviṣayaka-varṇana — The Topics of Primary Creation
Sarga
उर्जायाञ्च वशिष्ठाच्च राजा गात्रोर्ध्वबाहुकः सवनश्चालघुः शुक्रः सुतपाः सप्त चर्षयः
urjāyāñca vaśiṣṭhācca rājā gātrordhvabāhukaḥ savanaścālaghuḥ śukraḥ sutapāḥ sapta carṣayaḥ
Aus Ūrjā und aus Vasiṣṭha ging der königliche Seher Gātrordhvabāhuka hervor; ferner Savana, Ālaghu, Śukra und Sutapā—so werden sieben ṛṣi aufgezählt.
Agni (narrating puranic genealogical lists to the inquiring sage, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Reference list for rishi/rajarsi lineages used in Purana study, pravara/ṛṣi-name recollection in ritual contexts, and contextual reading of manvantara narratives.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Seven Ṛṣis/Seer-Sages from Ūrjā and Vasiṣṭha Line","lookup_keywords":["Ūrjā","Vasiṣṭha","Gātrordhvabāhuka","Savana","Śukra","Sutapā"],"quick_summary":"Provides an enumerative register of a royal sage and associated seers connected with Ūrjā and Vasiṣṭha, functioning as a vamśa index entry."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (mild)
Concept: Paramparā (lineage) preserves dharma and knowledge through named seers; remembering names is a mode of honoring transmission.
Application: Use as a mnemonic roster in study/recitation; cultivate respect for teacher-lineages and textual continuity.
Khanda Section: Purva-khanda (Sarga/Vamsha-Anukramanika: Genealogies and lists of sages/manvantaras)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A genealogical tableau: Vasiṣṭha with Ūrjā, and a sequence of seven sages/royal-sage figures presented as an enumerated procession or seated council.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Vasiṣṭha and Ūrjā central with halos, seven sages arranged in a frieze-like row, palm-leaf manuscript motifs, stylized forest āśrama setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central Vasiṣṭha-Ūrjā pair with gold halos, seven sages in smaller panels around, ornate borders, jewel tones, emphasis on sacred genealogy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean composition like a chart: labeled figures of Gātrordhvabāhuka, Savana, Ālaghu, Śukra, Sutapā and others, subtle architectural āśrama backdrop.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly assembly of sages with individualized faces, Vasiṣṭha presiding, attendants with manuscripts, refined landscape and delicate color washes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उर्जायाञ्च = उर्जायाः + च; वशिष्ठाच्च = वशिष्ठात् + च; गात्रोर्ध्वबाहुकः = गात्र + ऊर्ध्व + बाहुकः (समास/सन्धि); सवनश्चालघुः = सवनः + च + अलघुः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 20 (vamśānukramaṇikā sections listing progeny and sages)
FAQs
This verse transmits pravara-style genealogical knowledge: an enumerative listing of named ṛṣis associated with specific progenitors, used to preserve lineage memory and rishi-traditions rather than prescribing a ritual procedure.
By cataloguing proper names and descent/association (Ūrjā, Vasiṣṭha, and a set of seven ṛṣis), it functions like an index of rishi-lineages—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark “reference sections” alongside its ritual, polity, medicine, and poetics materials.
Recitation and remembrance of ṛṣi lineages is traditionally treated as meritorious (smṛti-puṇya), supporting continuity of sacred transmission and honoring the seers through whom Vedic and puranic knowledge is preserved.