Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 16
Chapter 19 — कश्यपवंशवर्णनम्
Description of Kaśyapa’s Lineage
विनतायाः सहस्रन्तु सर्पाश् च सुरसाभवाः काद्रवेयाः सहस्रन्तु शेषवासुकितक्षकाः
vinatāyāḥ sahasrantu sarpāś ca surasābhavāḥ kādraveyāḥ sahasrantu śeṣavāsukitakṣakāḥ
Dari Vinatā lahir seribu ular, dan dari Surasā juga seribu. Dari Kadrū lahir seribu ular—di antaranya Śeṣa, Vāsuki, dan Takṣaka.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic lore to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Genealogical identification of nāga lineages (Śeṣa, Vāsuki, Takṣaka) for mythic narration, temple lore, and nāga-related rites/propitiations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Nāga-sarga: serpents from Vinatā, Surasā, and Kadrū; Śeṣa–Vāsuki–Takṣaka","lookup_keywords":["Vinatā","Surasā","Kadrū","Śeṣa","Takṣaka"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates serpent origins by maternal lines and highlights principal nāgas (Śeṣa, Vāsuki, Takṣaka), serving as a compact index for nāga mythology and related ritual contexts."}
Concept: Cosmic order includes nāga lineages with hierarchical exemplars (Śeṣa, Vāsuki, Takṣaka) functioning as supports/agents in larger mythic systems.
Application: Supports correct identification in iconography (Śeṣa vs other nāgas) and in ritual storytelling (e.g., sarpa-śānti, nāga-pratiṣṭhā contexts).
Khanda Section: Puranic Cosmology & Genealogies (Sarga/Pratisarga; Deva–Nāga–Vamśa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three mother-figures (Vinatā, Surasā, Kadrū) with streams of serpents emerging; prominent nāga kings labeled Śeṣa (many-hooded), Vāsuki, and Takṣaka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Vinatā–Surasā–Kadrū in a row, serpents flowing like patterned ribbons, Śeṣa as grand multi-hooded canopy, deep greens and reds, stylized nāga ornaments.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Śeṣa with embossed gold hoods, flanking Vāsuki and Takṣaka, mothers above in smaller medallions, heavy gold detailing and temple arch motif.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear labeled nāga genealogy chart with elegant serpent forms, Śeṣa distinguished by many hoods, soft washes and precise outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic serpents with jewel-like hoods, three mothers seated in a landscape, Śeṣa towering with multiple hoods, fine calligraphy labels and floral borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सहस्रन्तु = सहस्रम् + तु; सर्पाश् च = सर्पाः + च; सुरसाभवाः = सुरसा + अभवाः; काद्रवेयाः सहस्रन्तु = काद्रवेयाः + सहस्रम् + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purana 19 (nāga/serpent genealogies)
FAQs
This verse imparts Purāṇic classification knowledge (genealogical enumeration) identifying key Nāga lineages and prominent serpent beings such as Śeṣa, Vāsuki, and Takṣaka.
By cataloging origins and lineages of major beings (Nāgas and their mothers), it functions like a reference index—one of the Agni Purāṇa’s hallmark encyclopedic features alongside its sections on ritual, polity, medicine, and arts.
Remembering and reciting Purāṇic genealogies is traditionally treated as śravaṇa-smaraṇa of sacred history, fostering reverence for cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) and strengthening devotional remembrance of revered beings like Śeṣa.