Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 3
Somavaṃśa-saṃkṣepaḥ
Conclusion of the Lunar Dynasty Description
महिमा संहनस्यासीन्महिम्नओ भद्रसेनकः भद्रसेनाद् दुर्गमो ऽभूद्दुर्गमात्कनको ऽभवत्
mahimā saṃhanasyāsīnmahimnao bhadrasenakaḥ bhadrasenād durgamo 'bhūddurgamātkanako 'bhavat
ມະຫິມາເປັນບຸດຂອງສັມຫະນະ; ຈາກມະຫິມາເກີດບັດຣະເສນະກະ. ຈາກບັດຣະເສນະກະເກີດດຸຣຄະມະ ແລະຈາກດຸຣຄະມະເກີດກະນະກະ.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Genealogical memory for legitimizing royal succession, ritual precedence, and historical framing in Purāṇic narration.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vamsha Chain: Saṃhana → Mahimā → Bhadrasenaka → Durgama → Kanaka","lookup_keywords":["vaṃśa","Saṃhana","Mahimā","Bhadrasenaka","Kanaka"],"quick_summary":"A compact lineage sequence used to anchor later narratives about kings and their deeds. Useful as a lookup node in the Haihaya/Kārtavīrya context."}
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharit (Genealogies and royal lineages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A court scribe or bard recites a lineage scroll listing successive kings: Saṃhana, Mahimā, Bhadrasenaka, Durgama, Kanaka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, royal genealogy recital in a palace hall, seated bard with palm-leaf manuscript, stylized kings in sequence behind, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on royal crowns, a central scribe with palm-leaf, four ancestor-figures in medallions, ornate arch motifs, rich vermilion background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, a genealogical chart on palm leaves, calm court setting, soft colors, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court scene with a genealogist presenting a scroll, labeled portraits of kings in margins, fine textiles and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आसीन् + महिम्नः → आसीन्महिम्नः; महिम्नः + भद्रसेनकः → महिम्नो भद्रसेनकः (IAST typo 'mahimnao'); दुर्गमः + अभूत् → दुर्गमोऽभूत्; दुर्गमात् + कनकः → दुर्गमात्कनकः; कनकः + अभवत् → कनकोऽभवत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vamsha-anucharita sections around Kārtavīrya Arjuna and Haihaya lineage (adjacent verses 274.4–274.7)
FAQs
This verse imparts vamśa-vidyā (genealogical knowledge): the ordered succession of rulers, preserving dynastic continuity rather than prescribing a ritual procedure.
By cataloging lineages, the Agni Purana functions as a historical-archival register alongside its ritual, dharma, and śāstra sections—showing its encyclopedic scope beyond purely devotional material.
Remembering and reciting righteous lineages is traditionally treated as smṛti (sacred remembrance) that supports dharma by honoring ancestral continuity and reinforcing the Purāṇic vision of moral order across generations.