Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 36
Svāyambhuva-vaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lineage of Svāyambhuva Manu
आपस्य पुत्रो वैतण्ड्यः श्रमः शान्तो मुनिस् तथा ध्रुवस्य कालो लोकान्तो वर्चाः सोमस्य वै सुतः
āpasya putro vaitaṇḍyaḥ śramaḥ śānto munis tathā dhruvasya kālo lokānto varcāḥ somasya vai sutaḥ
आप का पुत्र वैतण्ड्य था; तथा श्रम, शान्त और मुनि ऋषि भी थे। ध्रुव से काल और लोकान्त उत्पन्न हुए; और सोम का पुत्र वर्चा था।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Genealogical recall for Purana-reading, ritual sankalpa, and mapping deity/ṛṣi lineages in cosmological catalogues.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Genealogy: Āpa, Dhruva, Soma—offspring names","lookup_keywords":["Āpa-putra","Dhruva-putra","Soma-putra","Vaitaṇḍya","Varcā"],"quick_summary":"A compact catalogue of progeny: Āpa’s sons (Vaitaṇḍya etc.), Dhruva’s sons (Kāla, Lokānta), and Soma’s son Varcā—used as a mnemonic cosmological index."}
Concept: Cosmic order (ṛta) expressed through structured genealogies and named emanations.
Application: Use as a memory-grid for Purāṇic cosmology and for correct ritual remembrance (smaraṇa) of beings in recitation.
Khanda Section: Sarga / Vamsha-Anukramanika (Genealogical & Cosmological Catalogues)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic cosmic genealogy tableau: Āpa, Dhruva, and Soma shown as luminous deities/ancestors with branching name-labels for their sons (Vaitaṇḍya, Śrama, Śānta, Muni; Kāla, Lokānta; Varcā).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat bright pigments, divine figures Āpa, Dhruva, Soma seated on lotus pedestals, branching vine-like genealogy lines with Sanskrit name cartouches, temple mural composition, warm reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Soma with halo and gold foil work, Dhruva as pole-star figure above, Āpa as water-deity below, embossed gold genealogy branches with small medallions for each son, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional genealogical chart aesthetic, deities in calm poses with clear labeled scrolls naming offspring, muted palette with fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly manuscript page layout, three seated figures with calligraphic panels listing offspring, fine borders, subdued naturalistic colors, precise labeling."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: munis tathā → muniḥ tathā (visarga sandhi); lokānto → lokāntaḥ (o for aḥ before voiced); varcāḥ is nominative sg of varcas; overall verse is a list of names/epithets.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 18 (vamśa-anukramaṇikā sections); Agni Purana cosmology/genealogy catalogues in adjacent verses
FAQs
This verse imparts genealogical knowledge (vaṁśa-anukrama)—a structured listing of progenitors and descendants used to preserve Puranic cosmology, sacred history, and name-traditions.
By recording concise lineage data (Āpa’s and Dhruva’s lines, and Soma’s son Varcas), it functions like an index of cosmological-personal entities—supporting cross-referencing across myths, rituals, and later narrative sections, a hallmark of the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic compilation style.
Remembering and reciting sacred lineages is traditionally regarded as merit-giving (smṛti/śravaṇa-phala), reinforcing continuity of dharma and cosmological order through remembrance of revered progenitors and their descendants.