Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 33
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
जनमेजयस्य पुत्रौ तु सुरथो महिमांस् तथा सुरथाद्विदूरथो ऽभूदृक्ष आसीद्विदूरथात्
janamejayasya putrau tu suratho mahimāṃs tathā surathādvidūratho 'bhūdṛkṣa āsīdvidūrathāt
ບັດນີ້ ຊະນະເມຊະຍະ ມີບຸດສອງຄົນ ຄື ສຸຣະຖະ (Suratha) ແລະ ມະຫິມານ (Mahimān). ຈາກ ສຸຣະຖະ ເກີດ ວິດູຣະຖະ (Vidūratha); ແລະຈາກ ວິດູຣະຖະ ເກີດ ຣຶກສະ (Ṛkṣa).
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic genealogy)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Clarifies a specific branching point (two sons) in the lineage; useful for reconciling variant genealogies across sources and for teaching epic ancestry.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Janamejaya’s Two Sons and the Suratha Line: Suratha/Mahimān → Vidūratha → Ṛkṣa","lookup_keywords":["Mahimān","Vidūratha","Ṛkṣa","Suratha","Janamejaya"],"quick_summary":"Identifies Janamejaya’s two sons and traces one branch through Vidūratha to Ṛkṣa, establishing the chain leading toward later Kuru figures."}
Concept: Itihasa as knowledge: preserving lineage as a cultural technology of memory.
Application: Use genealogical chains to anchor narratives, ritual recitations (śrāddha/vaṃśa-smaraṇa), and historical self-understanding.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharita (Genealogies of royal dynasties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bifurcating lineage scene: Janamejaya with two sons (Suratha and Mahimān) shown on either side; the Suratha branch continues to Vidūratha and Ṛkṣa in successive panels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych composition: Janamejaya centered, Suratha and Mahimān flanking; flowing vine motif leading to Vidūratha and Ṛkṣa; traditional flat perspective and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central enthroned Janamejaya with gold halo; two prince figures labeled Suratha and Mahimān; smaller gold-framed vignettes below for Vidūratha and Ṛkṣa; jewel-toned palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean genealogical infographic with elegant figures; subtle background wash; clear labels and connecting lines; emphasis on didactic readability.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly family portrait with two sons; marginal medallions showing Vidūratha and Ṛkṣa; refined calligraphy captions; architectural interior with carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bihag","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुरथात्+विदूरथः→सुरथाद्विदूरथः; विदूरथः+अभूत्→विदूरथोऽभूत्; अभूत्+ऋक्षः→अभूदृक्षः; आसीत्+विदूरथात्→आसीद्विदूरथात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 277.31-35 (continuous genealogy segment)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse records dynastic succession (vaṃśa) by naming Janamejaya’s sons and subsequent descendants.
By preserving royal genealogies alongside ritual, dharma, and śāstra topics, the Agni Purāṇa functions as a compendium—documenting historical-traditional lineage data used for Purāṇic chronology and cultural memory.
Its significance is indirect: maintaining vaṃśa records supports smṛti and Purāṇic tradition, reinforcing dharmic continuity through remembrance of righteous lineages rather than prescribing a specific rite.