Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 29
Sūryavaṃśa-kīrtana
Proclamation of the Solar Dynasty
खनन्तः पृथिवीं दग्धा विष्णुना बहुसागराः असमञ्जसो ऽंश्रुमांश् च दिलीपो ऽंशुमतो ऽभवत्
khanantaḥ pṛthivīṃ dagdhā viṣṇunā bahusāgarāḥ asamañjaso 'ṃśrumāṃś ca dilīpo 'ṃśumato 'bhavat
Mientras cavaban la tierra, ésta fue abrasada por Viṣṇu, y surgieron muchos mares. De Asamañjasa nació Aṃśrumān; de Aṃśrumān nació Dilīpa; y de Dilīpa nació Aṃśumān.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic genealogy to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Mythic etiology for the emergence of seas and a cautionary model of collective action; also anchors the succession Asamañjasa → Aṃśrumān → Dilīpa → Aṃśumān for later Ganga-liberation narratives.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sagara’s Sons Dig the Earth; Seas Arise; Succession to Aṃśumān","lookup_keywords":["Sagara-putrāḥ","khanana","Viṣṇu-dagdha","bahu-sāgara","Aṃśumān"],"quick_summary":"Describes the earth being dug and scorched by Viṣṇu, resulting in the formation of many seas, then resumes the royal succession from Asamañjasa to Aṃśrumān, Dilīpa, and Aṃśumān."}
Concept: Unchecked pursuit (khanana) can trigger destructive consequences; divine order (Viṣṇu-tejas) reasserts cosmic boundaries.
Application: Ethical lesson for rulers: regulate large-scale projects and collective force; align enterprise with dharma to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Genealogy (Suryavamsha / Royal Lineages)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Sacred geography / Oceanic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dramatic earth-digging scene: thousands of princes excavating; a burst of divine heat/light from Viṣṇu scorching the ground; newly formed seas flooding into trenches; then a calm vignette of the next heirs (Aṃśrumān, Dilīpa, Aṃśumān).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic rows of princes with spades, stylized flames of Viṣṇu-tejas, blue-green sea bands filling fissures, later panel with three kings in calm posture, bold outlines and temple motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central radiant Viṣṇu aura with gold embossing, princes digging below, swirling ocean waves with gold highlights, side medallions of Aṃśrumān–Dilīpa–Aṃśumān.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear narrative sequencing in two registers: excavation and scorching above, genealogical portraits below, fine linework and readable labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling excavation with many figures, dramatic light effect, water rushing into channels, detailed landscape textures; a separate inset showing the royal succession portraits."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: असमञ्जसो ऽंश्रुमान् → असमञ्जसः + अंश्रुमान्; दिलीपो ऽंशुमतः → दिलीपः + अंशुमतः; ऽभवत् → अभवत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 272 (continuation toward Bhagiratha/Gaṅgā-lāvaṇa themes in broader purāṇic cycle)
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse transmits Itihāsa-Purāṇic knowledge—cosmic-historical narrative (earth scorched by Viṣṇu, formation of seas) and dynastic succession in the Sūryavaṃśa.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic scope by preserving royal genealogies alongside cosmological motifs—functioning as a compact historical index of kings and lineage continuity used across Purāṇic tradition.
By recalling Viṣṇu’s cosmic agency and venerable kingly lineages, the verse supports smṛti (sacred remembrance) and śraddhā; in Purāṇic framing, hearing/reciting such genealogies is treated as merit-yielding because it aligns the listener with dharma and sacred history.