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
ライヴァタ（Raivata）・マンヴァンタラにおいて、ヴィタタ（Vitatha）が始祖（progenitor）であり、インドラは神々の主であった。神々はアミターバー（Amitābhā）と呼ばれた。ムニたちはヒラニヤローマン（Hiraṇyaroman）を長とし、子らはバラバンドハ（Balabandha）に始まる。
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.