Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 3
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇanam
Description of the Incarnation of Śrī Rāma
ततस्तस्मात्तथेक्ष्वाकुस् तस्य वंशे ककुत्स्थकः ककुत्स्थस्य रघुस्तस्माद् अजो दशरथस्ततः
tatastasmāttathekṣvākus tasya vaṃśe kakutsthakaḥ kakutsthasya raghustasmād ajo daśarathastataḥ
បន្ទាប់មក ពីគាត់ កើតឥក្ស្វាគុ; ក្នុងវង្សរបស់គាត់ មានកកុត្ស្ថៈ។ ពីកកុត្ស្ថៈ កើតរគ្ហុ; ពីរគ្ហុ កើតអជៈ; ហើយបន្ទាប់មក កើតទសរថៈ។
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic genealogy in encyclopedic summary style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Gives the Solar dynasty succession used to contextualize Rāma’s birth and the dharmic kingship ideal; supports ritual recitations and genealogical memory in itihāsa teaching.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sūryavaṃśa succession: Ikṣvāku → Kakutstha → Raghu → Aja → Daśaratha","lookup_keywords":["Ikṣvāku","Kakutstha","Raghu","Aja","Daśaratha"],"quick_summary":"A compact dynastic chain situates Daśaratha (and thus Rāma) within the Sūryavaṃśa, reinforcing continuity of righteous kingship and narrative chronology."}
Alamkara Type: Anukrama (genealogical enumeration)
Concept: Legitimate rule is framed through lineage and inherited dharma; kingship is presented as a continuity of responsibility (rāja-dharma) across generations.
Application: In teaching or discourse on governance/ethics, use the Sūryavaṃśa chain to illustrate ideals of succession, duty, and the cultural memory of righteous rule.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharita (Dynastic Genealogies / Solar Dynasty)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A genealogical tableau of Ayodhyā’s solar kings: Ikṣvāku, Kakutstha, Raghu, Aja, and Daśaratha shown as successive crowned figures, possibly with a stylized lineage tree or descending panels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, five royal figures in traditional attire with halos, arranged in a lineage sequence with Ayodhyā palace motifs, bold outlines and warm palette, ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, five kings in gold-embellished crowns and jewelry, each in a framed panel connected by a gold vine/lineage motif, rich reds and greens, temple-like arch frames","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic lineage chart with elegant portraits of each king, subtle palace background, fine detailing of textiles and crowns, clear sequential arrangement","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly portraits of the five kings in an architectural setting, each in a separate cartouche connected by a painted genealogical line, delicate facial features and refined palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ततस्तस्मात्तथेक्ष्वाकुः = ततः + तस्मात् + तथा + इक्ष्वाकुः (multiple sandhi: -as + t- assimilation; तथा + इ- → तथै-). दशरथस्ततः = दशरथः + ततः (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Adhyaya 5: continuation into Rāma narrative after establishing lineage; Agni Purana: rāja-dharma and nīti-related passages (elsewhere)
FAQs
This verse primarily transmits itihāsa–purāṇa vidyā in the form of royal genealogy (vaṃśāvalī), preserving the succession of the Ikṣvāku/Sūryavaṃśa kings rather than prescribing a ritual or medical technique.
By cataloging dynastic succession (Ikṣvāku → Kakutstha → Raghu → Aja → Daśaratha), it adds historical–genealogical indexing to the text’s broad coverage, alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences—functioning like a purāṇic reference register.
Remembering and reciting righteous royal lineages is treated in Purāṇic tradition as smṛti of dharma-bearing ancestors; it supports śraddhā in dharma and is considered purifying as part of purāṇa-śravaṇa (hearing/recitation of sacred histories).