Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 28
Svāyambhuva-vaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lineage of Svāyambhuva Manu
प्रचेतसस्तां जगृहुर्दक्षोस्याञ्च ततो ऽभवत् अचरांश् च चरांश् चैव द्विपदोथ चतुष्पदः
pracetasastāṃ jagṛhurdakṣosyāñca tato 'bhavat acarāṃś ca carāṃś caiva dvipadotha catuṣpadaḥ
The Pracetases accepted her in marriage, and from her Dakṣa was born. From him, in turn, came forth beings both immobile and mobile—those with two feet as well as those with four.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic genealogy to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Provides a compact taxonomy of beings (immobile/mobile; biped/quadruped) useful for cosmological mapping and didactic classification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"From Dakṣa: classification of beings—immobile/mobile; biped/quadruped","lookup_keywords":["Pracetases","Dakṣa","acara","cara","dvipada-catuṣpada"],"quick_summary":"The verse links lineage (Māriṣā → Dakṣa) to a basic cosmological classification of life forms, presenting a concise scheme for describing creation."}
Alamkara Type: Dvandva/Enumeration (saṅkhyāna)
Concept: Ordered plurality in creation—life categorized by motion and limb-structure as a knowable system.
Application: Use categorical thinking to study nature and ritual cosmology (what beings are included in ‘prajā’).
Khanda Section: Cosmogony & Genealogy (Sarga–Pratisarga; Prajāpati lineages)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The Pracetases accept Māriṣā; a subsequent vignette shows Dakṣa as progenitor, with panels of immobile trees, moving animals, humans (bipeds), and cattle/deer (quadrupeds) emerging.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with segmented registers: marriage acceptance scene above; below, stylized creation—trees as ‘acara’, animals and humans as ‘cara’, bold outlines and flat sacred colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold borders separating four categories: plants, birds/animals, humans, quadrupeds; Dakṣa centrally as progenitor with gold halo, ornate framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic yet elegant: Dakṣa at center with four directional groups labeled (acara, cara, dvipada, catuṣpada), soft palette and fine brushwork.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic flora and fauna, Dakṣa seated with attendants, animals and people depicted in lively detail, garden-like setting with careful perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pracetasas-tām = pracetasāḥ + tām; dakṣo-syāṃ-ca = dakṣaḥ + asyāḥ + ca; tato 'bhavat = tataḥ + abhavat; carāṃś caiva = carān + ca + eva; dvipadotha = dvipadāḥ + atha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sarga sections describing categories of beings (general)
FAQs
It conveys cosmogonic taxonomy: creation is classified into immobile (sthāvara) and mobile (jaṅgama) beings, further divided into two-footed and four-footed life—used as a standard Purāṇic schema for describing prajā-sarga (generation of creatures).
By preserving a compact genealogical and biological classification system (lineage → progenitor → categories of life), it functions like a reference index for later discussions on dharma, kingship, ritual duties, and the place of different beings within cosmic order.
The verse frames life as arising through ordained lineage under Prajāpatis, reinforcing the idea of ṛta/dharma: beings have distinct stations and duties, and recognizing this cosmic order supports right conduct and merit (puṇya) through dharmic living.