Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 17
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
सर्वत्रगाद्या रुद्राख्यः सावर्णिभविता मनुः ऋतधामा सुरेन्द्रश् च हरिताद्याश् च देवताः
sarvatragādyā rudrākhyaḥ sāvarṇibhavitā manuḥ ṛtadhāmā surendraś ca haritādyāś ca devatāḥ
ព្រះទេវតាដែលចាប់ផ្តើមដោយ សರ್ವत्रগា ត្រូវបានរាយនាម; រុទ្រាខ្យៈ ជា ឥន្ទ្រ; សាវර්ណិ នឹងក្លាយជា មនុ; ឫតធាមាន ក៏ត្រូវបានហៅថា ព្រះអម្ចាស់នៃទេវតា; ហើយក្រុមទេវតាដែលចាប់ផ្តើមដោយ ហរិតា ត្រូវបានប្រកាស។
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Purāṇic time-reckoning: mapping a given Manvantara to its Manu, Indra, Saptarṣi set, and Deva-gaṇa for calendrical/itihāsa-purāṇa study and ritual sankalpa context.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sāvarṇi-Manvantara: Manu–Indra–Deva-gaṇa enumeration","lookup_keywords":["Sāvarṇi Manu","Rudrākhya Indra","Harita devatā-gaṇa","Ṛtadhāman","Manvantara list"],"quick_summary":"This verse functions as a roster: it identifies the Manu (Sāvarṇi), the Indra (Rudrākhya), and the deva-groups (Sarvatragā-ādi; Harita-ādi) used to index that Manvantara in Purāṇic chronology."}
Concept: Ṛta as cosmic administration through offices (Manu/Indra/Deva-gaṇa) recurring across Manvantaras.
Application: Use as a mnemonic framework for Purāṇic cosmology: identify ‘who governs’ a Manvantara when reading genealogies or performing Purāṇic recitations.
Khanda Section: Manvantara and Puranic Chronology (Manu lineage, Indra and Deva-groups)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic register scene: sages or a divine scribe inscribing the roster of a Manvantara—Manu Sāvarṇi enthroned, Indra Rudrākhya nearby, and deva-groups labeled Sarvatragā-ādi and Harita-ādi arranged in tiers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, Manu Sāvarṇi seated on lotus throne, Indra Rudrākhya with regal ornaments, rows of devas in symmetrical bands with palm-leaf manuscript motif, cosmic backdrop with mandala clouds","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Manu Sāvarṇi with gold foil halo and arch, Indra Rudrākhya at side, deva-groups in smaller panels, rich reds and greens, heavy jewelry, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, soft shading, a ‘cosmic chart’ composition with labeled figures, manuscript and stylus, orderly tiers of devas, subdued elegance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly assembly as celestial durbar, Manu as lawgiver-king, Indra as commander, attendants representing deva-groups, fine calligraphy cartouches naming Sarvatragā and Harita, detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वत्रगाद्याः = सर्वत्रगा + आद्याः; हरिताद्याः = हरिता + आद्याः; सुरेन्द्रश् च = सुरेन्द्रः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 150 (Manvantara-varṇana context); Agni Purana manvantara lists in adjacent verses 150.18–150.21
FAQs
This verse imparts Purāṇic chronological knowledge (Manvantara-vidyā): it identifies the Manu, the Indra (Surendra), and specific deva-groups for a given Manvantara.
By cataloging Manus, Indras, and deva-gaṇas, it functions like a cosmological index—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark “reference sections” that systematize time-cycles and divine administrations alongside its ritual, political, medical, and literary materials.
Remembering and studying the Manvantara order is traditionally treated as a form of dharmic recollection of cosmic ṛta (order), strengthening right understanding of time, duty, and the divine governance of the worlds.