Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 26
Somavaṃśa-saṃkṣepaḥ
Conclusion of the Lunar Dynasty Description
यथैव शृणुमो दूरात् गुणांस्तद्वत्समन्तिकात् वभ्रुः श्रेष्ठो मनुष्याणां देवैर् देवावृधःसमः
yathaiva śṛṇumo dūrāt guṇāṃstadvatsamantikāt vabhruḥ śreṣṭho manuṣyāṇāṃ devair devāvṛdhaḥsamaḥ
ເຊັ່ນທີ່ພວກເຮົາໄດ້ຍິນຄຸນງາມຄວາມດີຂອງລາວຈາກໄກ, ເມື່ອເຂົ້າໃກ້ກໍຍິນເຊັ່ນນັ້ນ. ວະບຣຸ ເປັນຜູ້ຍອດໃນມະນຸດ, ເທົ່າທຽມ ເທວາວຣຶດະ ຕາມການປະເມີນຂອງເທວະ.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic material to Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Eulogy (praśaṃsā) functions as ethical exemplum: models how fame of virtue remains consistent whether heard from afar or known closely—useful for teaching standards of character in rulers and householders.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Praśaṃsā of Vabhru: Virtue Known Far and Near","lookup_keywords":["Vabhru","Devāvṛdha","praśaṃsā","guṇa","śreṣṭha"],"quick_summary":"Vabhru is praised as foremost among men, his virtues consistent in reputation and direct experience, and esteemed by the gods as equal to Devāvṛdha."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛṣṭānta (illustrative analogy: far vs near hearing)
Concept: Satya of character: true virtue withstands proximity-testing; reputation aligns with lived conduct.
Application: Evaluate leaders/teachers by consistency between public fame and close observation; cultivate guṇas that remain stable under scrutiny.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purusha-prashamsa (Eulogies and exemplary human figures)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vabhru depicted as an ideal king; two groups—distant bards and close courtiers—both praising him, showing identical acclaim; gods above acknowledging him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Vabhru enthroned; bards at left (distant) and courtiers at right (near) both singing; devas in upper register with floral clouds; bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central royal portrait with gold halo; musicians and poets on either side; small divine figures above offering garlands; ornate gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined court scene with emphasis on facial serenity; inscription panels quoting praise; balanced composition showing ‘far’ and ‘near’ audiences.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: durbar with poets reciting; a second vignette in background showing travelers speaking of his virtues; celestial band above; intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यथैव = यथा + एव; गुणांस्तद्वत् = गुणान् + तद्वत्; देवैर् = देवैः (रेफ-संधि); देवावृधःसमः = देवावृधः + समः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 274.23-27 (Vabhru within Yādava genealogical narrative)
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse transmits a dharmic principle: genuine virtue remains consistent—praised both from a distance and upon close acquaintance.
Alongside rituals, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves genealogical and exemplary narratives; such eulogies function as ethical instruction by presenting models of ideal human conduct recognized even by the gods.
It implies that sustained guṇa (virtue) yields enduring reputation and divine approval; karmically, consistent righteous conduct bears fruit as honor and esteem in both human and divine spheres.