Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 16
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
धर्मसावर्णिकश्चाथ विहङ्गाद्यास्तदा सुराः गणेशश्चेन्द्रो नश् चराद्या मुनयः पुत्रकामयोः
dharmasāvarṇikaścātha vihaṅgādyāstadā surāḥ gaṇeśaścendro naś carādyā munayaḥ putrakāmayoḥ
Dann (in jenem Manvantara) ist der Manu Dharmasāvarṇika; die Götter werden von Vihaṅga angeführt; auch Gaṇeśa wird erwähnt; und der Indra ist Naś (Naraśa/Naś). Die Munis sind die Carādyā (beginnend mit Cara), verbunden mit Riten für jene, die einen Sohn erbitten.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic compendium to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s framing dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Identifies the Manvantara’s Manu/Indra/Deva/Ṛṣi sets and hints at putrakāmeṣṭi/putrakāmya rites (son-desiring observances), useful for linking cosmological catalogues with ritual motivations in Purāṇic practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dharmasāvarṇika Manvantara: Vihaṅga devas, Indra Naś, Cara-ādi sages and putrakāmya context","lookup_keywords":["Dharmasāvarṇika","Vihaṅga devāḥ","Naś Indra","Carādyā munayaḥ","putrakāmya"],"quick_summary":"States Dharmasāvarṇika as Manu, names the deva-host led by Vihaṅga, identifies Indra as Naś, and associates the Cara-ādi sages with rites undertaken by those desiring offspring."}
Concept: Dharma is upheld through epochal order (Manu/Indra/gaṇas) and through sanctioned desires (putra-kāmanā) pursued via rite rather than adharma.
Application: Frames progeny-seeking as a dharmic pursuit when aligned with prescribed ritual discipline and guidance of ṛṣis.
Khanda Section: Prajā-sarga & Manvantara Genealogies (Cosmology/Manu-lineages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Manvantara assembly with Dharmasāvarṇika Manu presiding; Vihaṅga-led deva-host depicted with bird symbolism; Indra Naś seated with insignia; sages Cara-ādi instruct a couple performing a putrakāmya rite; Gaṇeśa appears as an auspicious presence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Dharmasāvarṇika Manu in central sabhā, Vihaṅga devas with stylized bird emblems, Indra Naś with royal posture, Cara-ādi sages guiding a yajña for progeny, Gaṇeśa in a corner as maṅgala-devatā, rich reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-arched throne for Manu, Gaṇeśa with heavy gold ornament as auspicious icon, yajña scene with couple and sages, Vihaṅga devas as attendants with bird motifs, luminous gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional ritual scene: sages explaining putrakāmya procedure to householders beside a small altar, Manu/Indra shown in inset panels as epoch markers, neat labels and soft gold highlights.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative folio: foreground householders at a fire-altar receiving counsel from Cara-ādi sages, background celestial court with Manu and Indra Naś, Gaṇeśa as a small auspicious vignette, fine architectural detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dharmasāvarṇikaścātha = dharma-sāvarṇikaḥ + ca + atha; vihaṅgādyāstadā = vihaṅgādyāḥ + tadā; gaṇeśaścendro = gaṇeśaḥ + ca + indraḥ. The segment ‘naś’ is transmitted as such; interpreted as enclitic naḥ (asmad) though context is list-like.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: vrata/putrakāmya-related observances in ritual sections (where present); Agni Purana: Gaṇeśa-related invocatory passages (scattered stotra/mantra contexts)
FAQs
It functions as a Manvantara-catalog entry: it identifies the Manu, the leading deva-group, the named Indra, and the associated sages—framing how ritual lineages (including putra-kāma/son-desiring contexts) are situated within cosmic time-cycles.
By indexing cosmic administration—Manus, Indras, deva-groups, and rishi-lineages—the text supplies a reference-grid used across Purāṇic topics (ritual timing, genealogies, mythic history), exemplifying its compendium style.
Placing deities and sages within a Manvantara teaches that dharma and ritual efficacy are understood within ordained cosmic cycles; aligning one’s rites (including putra-kāma intentions) with this order is presented as harmonizing action with cosmic governance.