Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 21
Somavaṃśa-saṃkṣepaḥ
Conclusion of the Lunar Dynasty Description
भीमरथान्नवरथस्ततो दृढरथो ऽभवत् शकुन्तिश् च दृढरथात् शकुन्तेश् च करम्भकः
bhīmarathānnavarathastato dṛḍharatho 'bhavat śakuntiś ca dṛḍharathāt śakunteś ca karambhakaḥ
ભીમરથથી નવરથ જન્મ્યો; ત્યારબાદ દૃઢરથ થયો. દૃઢરથથી શકુંતિ; અને શકુંતિથી કરંભક જન્મ્યો.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Extending the dynastic chain beyond Bhīmaratha; supports chronological ordering and identification of lesser-known kings in regional traditions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Bhīmaratha–Navaratha–Dṛḍharatha–Śakunti–Karambhaka succession","lookup_keywords":["Bhimaratha","Navaratha","Dridharatha","Shakunti","Karambhaka"],"quick_summary":"Continues the lineage from Bhīmaratha through Navaratha and Dṛḍharatha, then to Śakunti and Karambhaka, preserving a compact succession list."}
Concept: Paramparā (succession) as a stabilizing principle—identity transmitted through named descent.
Application: For textual collation, treat the chain as a fixed sequence; check for orthographic variants (Śakunti/Śakuntī; Karambhaka/Karambha).
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharita (Genealogies of royal lineages)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lineage ribbon unfurls from Bhīmaratha to Karambhaka; each name appears on a lotus-petal plaque; Dṛḍharatha depicted with a firm stance symbolizing ‘steadfast chariot’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic lotus plaques with names; five royal figures connected by a flowing ribbon; Dṛḍharatha shown gripping a chariot rail; rich ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted lotus plaques bearing names; kings in arched niches; succession ribbon in gold; emphasis on regal jewelry and crowns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional chart aesthetic; neat calligraphy on lotus nodes; minimal court background; clear succession arrows.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature genealogical page; cartouches with names linked by vines; small portraits of each king; fine linework and pastel palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhoopali","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भीमरथात् + नवरथः → भीमरथान्नवरथः; दृढरथः + अभवत् → दृढरथोऽभवत्; शकुन्तिः + च → शकुन्तिश्च; शकुन्तेः + च → शकुन्तेश्च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 274.20 (preceding Bhīmaratha); Agni Purana 274.22 (following Karambha-related descendants)
FAQs
This verse imparts vamśa-vidyā (dynastic genealogy): a precise succession of rulers/ancestors used to preserve lineage memory and contextualize later dharma and royal narratives.
By cataloging lineage succession, the Agni Purana functions as a reference compendium—preserving names, order of descent, and continuity of kings, alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, and arts).
Recitation and remembrance of righteous lineages is traditionally treated as puṇya-generating (meritorious), reinforcing śraddhā in dharma and the continuity of sacred history (purāṇic smṛti).