Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 30
Somavaṃśa-saṃkṣepaḥ
Conclusion of the Lunar Dynasty Description
आहुकाद्देवको जज्ञे उग्रसेनस्ततो ऽभवत् देववानुपदेवश् च देवकस्य सुताः स्मृताः
āhukāddevako jajñe ugrasenastato 'bhavat devavānupadevaś ca devakasya sutāḥ smṛtāḥ
From Āhuka was born Devaka; and from him arose Ugrasena. Devavān and Upadeva are remembered as the sons of Devaka.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic genealogy in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Identifies Devaka and Ugrasena—key nodes for the Kaṃsa–Kṛṣṇa narrative; supports coherent reading of Mathurā episodes across texts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Devaka and Ugrasena: Descent from Āhuka","lookup_keywords":["Āhuka","Devaka","Ugrasena","Devavān","Upadeva"],"quick_summary":"States: Āhuka → Devaka → Ugrasena; and Devaka’s sons include Devavān and Upadeva. Establishes the immediate ancestry relevant to Mathurā’s royal house."}
Concept: Legitimacy and order (rājadharma) are framed through rightful lineage remembrance.
Application: Use genealogical anchors (Ugrasena) to interpret political-ethical episodes (usurpation, restoration) in later narrative sections.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharita (Genealogies and dynastic lineage)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal genealogy tableau: Āhuka begetting Devaka; Devaka linked to Ugrasena; Devavān and Upadeva shown as side branches.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Mathurā court ambience, three main ancestor figures in hierarchical scale (Āhuka, Devaka, Ugrasena) with two smaller side portraits (Devavān, Upadeva), lamp-lit palace interior, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central enthroned Ugrasena with gold halo, behind him Devaka and Āhuka in smaller framed medallions, side panels for Devavān and Upadeva, heavy gold work and ornamental arch.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, structured family tree with throne icon for Ugrasena, neat captions, soft pastel background, emphasis on clarity and hierarchy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court genealogy folio with Ugrasena seated on a takht, attendants, and marginal roundels for Devaka, Āhuka, Devavān, Upadeva; fine textile detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: āhukāddevako → āhukāt + devakaḥ; tato 'bhavat → tataḥ + abhavat; devavānupadevaś → devavān + upadevaḥ; upadevaś ca → upadevaḥ + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 274.31-274.32 (Devaka’s daughters; Kaṃsa context)
FAQs
This verse imparts vamśa-vidyā (genealogical knowledge): a precise dynastic succession record used for Purāṇic historiography and identification of royal lineages.
By cataloging names and succession within a dynasty, it functions like a historical index—one of the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic modes alongside ritual manuals, polity, medicine, and arts.
Remembering and reciting righteous lineages (vamśa-smaraṇa) is traditionally treated as purifying and supportive of śraddhā, anchoring devotion and dharmic continuity through sacred history.