Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 13
Somavaṃśa-saṃkṣepaḥ
Conclusion of the Lunar Dynasty Description
स्वाहापुत्रओ रुषद्गुश् च तस्य चित्ररथः सुतः शशविन्दुश्चित्ररथाच्चक्रवर्ती हरौ रतः
svāhāputrao ruṣadguś ca tasya citrarathaḥ sutaḥ śaśavinduścitrarathāccakravartī harau rataḥ
स्वाहा का पुत्र रुषद्गु था। उसका पुत्र चित्ररथ हुआ। चित्ररथ से शशविन्दु उत्पन्न हुआ—वह सार्वभौम चक्रवर्ती सम्राट था और हरि (विष्णु) में रत, भक्त था।
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana’s contents)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Dynastic memory for Itihasa-Purana study; model of ideal kingship (cakravartin) grounded in Hari-bhakti as a legitimizing ethic for rule.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ruṣadgu–Citraratha–Śaśavindu genealogy; cakravartin devoted to Hari","lookup_keywords":["Ruṣadgu","Citraratha","Śaśavindu","cakravartin","Hari-bhakti"],"quick_summary":"Records succession from Ruṣadgu to Citraratha to Śaśavindu, highlighting Śaśavindu as a universal emperor whose sovereignty is paired with devotion to Hari."}
Concept: Royal power (cakravartitva) is ideally harmonized with Hari-rati (devotion to Viṣṇu).
Application: Use as a normative lens in rāja-dharma: governance gains stability when anchored in dharmic devotion rather than mere conquest.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-anucharita (Genealogies and royal lineages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal genealogy tableau: Ruṣadgu and Citraratha presented as predecessors, culminating in Śaśavindu as cakravartin, shown offering reverence to Hari (Viṣṇu).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors; central cakravartin king Śaśavindu with royal parasol and attendants, hands in añjali toward standing Viṣṇu with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma; genealogical elders behind as smaller figures; ornate floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf; Śaśavindu enthroned with cakravartin emblems (chatra, chowries), richly jeweled; Viṣṇu in a small sanctum-like aureole with heavy gold work; inscriptions of names Ruṣadgu, Citraratha, Śaśavindu.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework; didactic genealogy composition with labeled figures; Śaśavindu shown performing pūjā to Viṣṇu; subdued palette and fine ornamentation.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly scene; emperor Śaśavindu in durbar with halo, offering to a blue-hued Viṣṇu icon; genealogical scroll motif in the margin; detailed textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svāhāputrao → svāhāputraḥ (visarga restoration); śaśavinduś citrarathāt ca → śaśavinduḥ citrarathāt ca; citrarathāccakravartī → citrarathāt ca cakravartī.
Related Themes: Agni Purana genealogical sections (Vamśa-anucarita) surrounding 274.13–274.17
FAQs
This verse transmits genealogical-royal knowledge (vamśa-vidyā): it records lineage succession and identifies Śaśavindu as a cakravartin devoted to Hari (Viṣṇu).
By preserving dynastic data—names, descent, and kingly status (cakravartin)—the Agni Purana functions as a historical-cultural index alongside its ritual, legal, and philosophical sections.
It highlights that even a world-emperor’s excellence is ideally crowned by bhakti—devotion to Hari—presenting devotion as a superior spiritual orientation within royal life.