Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 6
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
रैवते वितथश्चेन्द्रो अमिताभास् तथा सुराः हिरण्यरोमाद्या मुनयो बलबन्धादयः सुताः
raivate vitathaścendro amitābhās tathā surāḥ hiraṇyaromādyā munayo balabandhādayaḥ sutāḥ
रैवत मन्वन्तर में वितथ (प्रजापति) और इन्द्र थे; देवगण अमिताभास कहलाए; मुनि हिरण्यरोम आदि थे; और पुत्र बलबन्ध आदि थे।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic enumeration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Chronological anchoring for Raivata-manvantara: identifies progenitor figure, Indra, deva-class, leading muni, and Manu’s sons—useful for aligning narratives and resolving name-variants across puranas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Raivata-manvantara roster: Vitatha, Indra, Amitābhā deva-class, Hiraṇyaroman sages, Balabandha-line sons","lookup_keywords":["Raivata","Vitatha","Amitābhāḥ","Hiraṇyaroman","Balabandha"],"quick_summary":"Summarizes the Raivata-manvantara: Vitatha as key progenitor figure, an Indra for that cycle, gods called Amitābhās, sages led by Hiraṇyaroman, and sons beginning with Balabandha."}
Concept: Manvantara-wise differentiation of divine classes and rishi leadership.
Application: When encountering ‘Amitābhāḥ’ or Hiraṇyaroman in narratives, this roster helps place the story in Raivata-manvantara.
Khanda Section: Manvantara Genealogies (Vaivata-Manvantara / Puranic Lineages)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Raivata-manvantara depiction: Vitatha as progenitor figure, Indra presiding, radiant Amitābhā gods assembled, Hiraṇyaroman leading a group of munis, and Balabandha with other sons shown as a lineage cluster.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, luminous deva-gaṇa labeled Amitābhā with bright aureoles, Indra on throne, Vitatha in royal-ancestor pose, Hiraṇyaroman with munis holding staffs, Balabandha and sons grouped, earthy palette with glowing highlights","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Amitābhā gods rendered with strong gold halos, Indra central, Vitatha and Hiraṇyaroman flanking, Balabandha-line sons below, heavy gold embossing and jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear didactic grouping: Vitatha, Indra, Amitābhā gods, Hiraṇyaroman munis, Balabandha sons; soft gradients, fine outlines, minimal scenery","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, radiant celestial assembly with Amitābhā gods in patterned garments, Indra seated, Vitatha presented formally, Hiraṇyaroman with ascetics, Balabandha descendants in lower register, intricate border work"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vitathaścendro = vitathaḥ ca indraḥ; amitābhās = amitābhāḥ (visarga sandhi before t); hiraṇyaromādyā = hiraṇyaromādyāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vaivata/Raivata manvantara listings in the same chronology section
FAQs
This verse imparts Purāṇic cosmological-chronological knowledge: the identification of a Manvantara’s key figures—its Indra, the named class of gods, principal sages, and notable offspring/royal progeny.
By cataloging Manvantara-level data (Indra, deva-groups, ṛṣis, and lineages), it functions like a reference index for Purāṇic history and cosmology—one of the Agni Purāṇa’s hallmark encyclopedic sections alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences.
Remembering and reciting Manvantara lineages is traditionally treated as smṛti-based puṇya: it anchors the listener in dharmic sacred history and reinforces faith in cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) across cyclical time.