Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 23
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
कृपः कृपी किवोदासान्मैत्रेयः सोमपस्ततः सृञ्जयात् पञ्चधनुषः सोमदत्तश् च तत्सुतः
kṛpaḥ kṛpī kivodāsānmaitreyaḥ somapastataḥ sṛñjayāt pañcadhanuṣaḥ somadattaś ca tatsutaḥ
ຈາກ ກິໂວດາສະ (Kivodāsa) ເກີດ ກຶປະ (Kṛpa) ແລະ ກຶປີ (Kṛpī); ຈາກນັ້ນເກີດ ໄມເຕຣຍະ (Maitreya) ແລ້ວ ໂສມະປະ (Somapa). ຈາກ ສຶຣັນຈະຍະ (Sṛñjaya) ເກີດ ປັນຈະທະນຸສະ (Pañcadhanuṣa) ແລະ ໂສມະດັດຕະ (Somadatta) ເປັນບຸດຂອງລາວ.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Genealogical anchoring of famed martial-ascetic figures (Kṛpa/Kṛpī) and royal descendants; supports Itihāsa linkage (Mahābhārata-associated names) and kṣatriya line memory.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kivodāsa to Kṛpa–Kṛpī; Maitreya–Somapa; Sṛñjaya to Pañcadhanuṣa and Somadatta","lookup_keywords":["Kṛpa","Kṛpī","Maitreya","Sṛñjaya","Pañcadhanuṣa"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates successive births: Kivodāsa → Kṛpa/Kṛpī → Maitreya → Somapa; and Sṛñjaya → Pañcadhanuṣa → Somadatta. Functions as a compact dynastic index, with martial resonance in the epithet Pañcadhanuṣa (‘five-bowed’)."}
Weapon Type: Bow (dhanus)
Concept: Transmission of roles (ṛṣi/kṣatriya) through lineage; Purāṇic historiography as dharma-preserving memory.
Application: Used to reconcile Mahābhārata-associated figures (Kṛpa/Kṛpī) with Purāṇic dynastic lists for teaching and recitation.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharita (Genealogies and royal lineages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A split genealogical panel: on one side Kivodāsa with twins/siblings Kṛpa and Kṛpī; on the other Sṛñjaya presenting a bow to Pañcadhanuṣa, with Somadatta as heir. A lineage tree or scroll ties the names.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold outlines, Kṛpa and Kṛpī as youthful sage-warriors, Sṛñjaya in royal attire, Pañcadhanuṣa holding multiple bows symbolically, palm-leaf scroll motif, earthy reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf on royal ornaments and bow, Sṛñjaya enthroned, Pañcadhanuṣa with five stylized bows arranged like a fan, Somadatta as prince, decorative arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: labeled figures, elegant bow depiction, genealogical arrows connecting names, subdued colors and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scene with Sṛñjaya gifting a bow, delicate rendering of weapons, Kṛpa/Kṛpī in a separate vignette with ascetic cues, calligraphic name panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: किवोदासान्मैत्रेयः = किवोदासात् मैत्रेयः; सोमदत्तश् = सोमदत्तः; तत्सुतः = तत्-सुतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana: continuation to Somadatta → Sahadeva (next verse); Agni Purana: other vaṃśa catalogues listing Sṛñjaya-related lines
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as a genealogical record, preserving the succession of named figures within a dynastic lineage.
By cataloging dynastic descent (vaṁśa), it adds an Itihāsa-Purāṇa layer—historical memory, royal succession, and identity of lineages—alongside the Agni Purana’s ritual, polity, and śāstra materials.
The implied merit lies in śravaṇa/paṭhana of vaṁśa-kathā: remembering and transmitting righteous lineages is treated in Purāṇic tradition as a purifying act that supports dharma and continuity of sacred history.