Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 12
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
पूर्वस्य च सवर्णो ऽसौ सावर्णिर्भविताष्टमः सुतपाद्या देवगणा दीप्तिमद्द्रौणिकादयः
pūrvasya ca savarṇo 'sau sāvarṇirbhavitāṣṭamaḥ sutapādyā devagaṇā dīptimaddrauṇikādayaḥ
Und er wird aus derselben Linie wie der frühere Manu sein; jener Sāvarṇi wird der achte Manu werden. Die Scharen der Götter sind Sutapā und andere, beginnend mit Dīptimat und Drauṇika.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Use as a chronological scaffold for Purāṇic time-reckoning (Manvantara mapping) in ritual calendars, genealogical narration, and comparative Purāṇa study.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Aṣṭama-Manvantara: Sāvarṇi Manu and Devagaṇa roster","lookup_keywords":["Sāvarṇi","aṣṭama manu","Sutapā devagaṇa","Dīptimat","Drauṇika"],"quick_summary":"Identifies the eighth Manu as Sāvarṇi (of the former’s lineage) and lists the associated deva-host beginning with Sutapā, including names like Dīptimat and Drauṇika."}
Concept: Purāṇic cosmological time is structured into repeating Manvantaras with fixed offices (Manu, deva-gaṇas, etc.).
Application: Helps interpret Purāṇic narratives by locating events within a specific Manvantara framework.
Khanda Section: Manvantara-Varṇana (Cosmic Chronology and Future Manus)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic register scene: the eighth Manu Sāvarṇi enthroned in a celestial assembly while deva-hosts labeled Sutapā, Dīptimat, Drauṇika stand in ordered rows, with a time-wheel motif behind.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat luminous colors, celestial sabhā with Sāvarṇi Manu seated, deva-gaṇas in symmetrical tiers, lotus motifs, time-wheel (kāla-cakra) halo, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Sāvarṇi Manu seated on a gem-studded throne, heavy gold foil for crowns and jewelry, deva-gaṇas arranged as attendants with name-scrolls, ornate arch (prabhāmaṇḍala).","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework and soft shading, didactic layout showing Manu at center and deva-gaṇa list as labeled figures, subtle gold highlights, manuscript-like clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly celestial durbar, Sāvarṇi Manu as a regal figure, attendants labeled Sutapā/Dīptimat/Drauṇika, detailed textiles, pale sky with cosmic wheel emblem."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: savarṇo 'sau = savarṇaḥ + asau; sāvarṇirbhavitāṣṭamaḥ = sāvarṇiḥ + bhavitā + aṣṭamaḥ; dīptimaddrauṇikādayaḥ = dīptimat + drauṇikādayaḥ (t/d sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Manvantara-varṇana sections listing Manus, Indras, Ṛṣis (same khanda, adjacent verses)
FAQs
This verse imparts Purāṇic cosmological knowledge: the enumeration of Manvantaras by identifying the eighth Manu (Sāvarṇi) and naming the associated classes of gods (devagaṇas).
It functions as a catalog-entry in the Agni Purāṇa’s wide-ranging compendium, preserving structured data on cosmic governance—Manu succession and corresponding divine hosts—alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, and arts).
Remembering and reciting Manvantara chronology is traditionally treated as a form of Purāṇic śravaṇa/smaraṇa that strengthens dharmic worldview—situating human duty within cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) administered through Manus and devagaṇas.