Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 33
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
जनमेजयस्य पुत्रौ तु सुरथो महिमांस् तथा सुरथाद्विदूरथो ऽभूदृक्ष आसीद्विदूरथात्
janamejayasya putrau tu suratho mahimāṃs tathā surathādvidūratho 'bhūdṛkṣa āsīdvidūrathāt
Ahora bien, Janamejaya tuvo dos hijos: Suratha y Mahimān. De Suratha nació Vidūratha; y de Vidūratha nació Ṛkṣa.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic genealogy)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Clarifies a specific branching point (two sons) in the lineage; useful for reconciling variant genealogies across sources and for teaching epic ancestry.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Janamejaya’s Two Sons and the Suratha Line: Suratha/Mahimān → Vidūratha → Ṛkṣa","lookup_keywords":["Mahimān","Vidūratha","Ṛkṣa","Suratha","Janamejaya"],"quick_summary":"Identifies Janamejaya’s two sons and traces one branch through Vidūratha to Ṛkṣa, establishing the chain leading toward later Kuru figures."}
Concept: Itihasa as knowledge: preserving lineage as a cultural technology of memory.
Application: Use genealogical chains to anchor narratives, ritual recitations (śrāddha/vaṃśa-smaraṇa), and historical self-understanding.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharita (Genealogies of royal dynasties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bifurcating lineage scene: Janamejaya with two sons (Suratha and Mahimān) shown on either side; the Suratha branch continues to Vidūratha and Ṛkṣa in successive panels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych composition: Janamejaya centered, Suratha and Mahimān flanking; flowing vine motif leading to Vidūratha and Ṛkṣa; traditional flat perspective and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central enthroned Janamejaya with gold halo; two prince figures labeled Suratha and Mahimān; smaller gold-framed vignettes below for Vidūratha and Ṛkṣa; jewel-toned palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean genealogical infographic with elegant figures; subtle background wash; clear labels and connecting lines; emphasis on didactic readability.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly family portrait with two sons; marginal medallions showing Vidūratha and Ṛkṣa; refined calligraphy captions; architectural interior with carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bihag","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुरथात्+विदूरथः→सुरथाद्विदूरथः; विदूरथः+अभूत्→विदूरथोऽभूत्; अभूत्+ऋक्षः→अभूदृक्षः; आसीत्+विदूरथात्→आसीद्विदूरथात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 277.31-35 (continuous genealogy segment)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse records dynastic succession (vaṃśa) by naming Janamejaya’s sons and subsequent descendants.
By preserving royal genealogies alongside ritual, dharma, and śāstra topics, the Agni Purāṇa functions as a compendium—documenting historical-traditional lineage data used for Purāṇic chronology and cultural memory.
Its significance is indirect: maintaining vaṃśa records supports smṛti and Purāṇic tradition, reinforcing dharmic continuity through remembrance of righteous lineages rather than prescribing a specific rite.