Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 24
Chapter 19 — कश्यपवंशवर्णनम्
Description of Kaśyapa’s Lineage
वसूनां पावको राजा मरुतां वासवः प्रभुः प्रजापतीनां दक्षो ऽथ प्रह्लादो दानवाधिपः
vasūnāṃ pāvako rājā marutāṃ vāsavaḥ prabhuḥ prajāpatīnāṃ dakṣo 'tha prahlādo dānavādhipaḥ
വസുക്കളിൽ പാവകൻ (അഗ്നി) രാജാവ്; മരുതുകളിൽ വാസവൻ (ഇന്ദ്രൻ) പ്രഭു; പ്രജാപതികളിൽ ദക്ഷൻ; പിന്നെ ദാനവങ്ങളുടെ അധിപൻ പ്രഹ്ലാദൻ।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Using regent-lists to structure offerings, protective rites, and mnemonic learning of divine hierarchies (gaṇa/adhipati).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Regents of Gaṇas: Vasus, Maruts, Prajāpatis, Dānavas","lookup_keywords":["Vasu","Pāvaka","Marut","Vāsava","Dakṣa","Prahlāda"],"quick_summary":"The verse provides a compact hierarchy: Agni (Pāvaka) leads Vasus, Indra leads Maruts, Dakṣa leads Prajāpatis, and Prahlāda leads Dānavas—useful for ritual address and cosmological classification."}
Concept: Ordered plurality: many powers operate in the cosmos, each with leadership and function, enabling ritual and ethical orientation within multiplicity.
Application: When performing homa (Agni), rain/strength rites (Indra/Maruts), progeny/creation rites (Prajāpatis/Dakṣa), or pacification of asuric obstacles (Prahlāda as a dharmic exemplar), address the appropriate head of the gaṇa.
Khanda Section: Nama-stotra / Devata-gaṇa (lists of divine rulers and cosmic regents)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Fourfold regent display: Agni as leader of Vasus amid flames; Indra leading Maruts in storm-clouds; Dakṣa among Prajāpatis in a creation-assembly; Prahlāda presiding over Dānavas with a devotional demeanor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, four registers: Agni with stylized flames and Vasus as attendant deities; Indra with vajra amid swirling Maruts and clouds; Dakṣa seated in a Vedic council of Prajāpatis; Prahlāda calm in añjali among daṇavas, rich ochres and reds, bold contours","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore gold, central Agni and Indra with radiant halos; Maruts as winged storm attendants; Dakṣa with sacred thread and royal ornaments; Prahlāda with Viṣṇu emblem subtly included, heavy gold embellishment and jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean didactic composition: each gaṇa labeled, leader centered, attendants symmetrically arranged; soft gradients for fire and clouds; fine ornamentation without overcrowding","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative-collage: a fire-altar scene for Agni; a monsoon battlefield-sky for Indra and Maruts; a courtly assembly for Dakṣa and Prajāpatis; a palace courtyard where Prahlāda stands serenely among asuras, detailed textiles and landscape"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दक्षो ऽथ = dakṣaḥ + atha; दानवाधिपः = dānava + adhipaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: lists of gaṇas, lokapālas, and devatā-nāma (surrounding 19.23–19.26); Agni Purana: homa-related passages where Agni is central (elsewhere in ritual sections)
FAQs
It provides a classificatory mapping of divine offices—identifying the presiding rulers of key deity-groups (Vasus, Maruts, Prajāpatis, Dānavas), useful for stotra-recitation, ritual invocation, and Purāṇic cosmological orientation.
By cataloging who presides over various cosmic classes, it functions like a reference index of Purāṇic taxonomy—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark “encyclopedic” features alongside its coverage of ritual, polity, architecture, and other sciences.
Remembering and reciting correct divine hierarchies is traditionally held to refine devotion and ritual accuracy, aligning the practitioner with ṛta (cosmic order) and supporting purity of intention in worship.