Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
सत्यो हरिर्देवदरो वैकुण्ठो वामनः क्रमात् छायाजः सूर्यपुत्रस्तु भविता चाष्टमो मनुः
satyo harirdevadaro vaikuṇṭho vāmanaḥ kramāt chāyājaḥ sūryaputrastu bhavitā cāṣṭamo manuḥ
ക്രമമായി (അവൻ) സത്യ, ഹരി, ദേവദാര, വൈകുണ്ഠ, വാമനൻ എന്നു വിളിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. കൂടാതെ ഛായാജൻ—സൂര്യപുത്രൻ—അവൻ തന്നെയാണ് എട്ടാമത്തെ മനുവായി ഭവിക്കുന്നത്.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Serves as a name-sequence index for Viṣṇu’s manvantara-specific appellations (Satya, Hari, Devadāra, Vaikuṇṭha, Vāmana) and a chronological note about the future eighth Manu (Chāyāja, son of the Sun).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Manvantara-wise Viṣṇu-nāma sequence; Chāyāja as the eighth Manu","lookup_keywords":["Satya Hari Devadāra","Vaikuṇṭha Vāmana","Chāyāja","eighth Manu","Sūryaputra"],"quick_summary":"Gives an ordered list of Viṣṇu’s names across epochs and identifies Chāyāja, the Sun’s son, as the future eighth Manu—useful for aligning avatāra nomenclature with manvantara chronology."}
Concept: Names and offices vary by cosmic cycle; time is structured and knowable through ordered nomenclature (nāma) and Manu succession.
Application: Aids compilers/teachers in synchronizing narratives and liturgical references to Viṣṇu’s names with the correct manvantara context.
Khanda Section: Manvantara & Avataras (Cosmic Chronology / Vishnu-Nama in Manvantara context)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequential frieze of five Viṣṇu forms labeled Satya, Hari, Devadāra, Vaikuṇṭha, Vāmana; alongside, a prophetic vignette of Chāyāja as the future eighth Manu, marked as Sūryaputra with a solar emblem.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, horizontal panel of five Viṣṇu manifestations with distinct crowns/poses, Vāmana as dwarf-brāhmaṇa, Vaikuṇṭha as regal Viṣṇu; separate medallion showing Chāyāja with a sun-disc motif; bold colors and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, five-figure Viṣṇu series with gold halos and heavy gold ornamentation, Vāmana small in stature, Vaikuṇṭha richly jeweled; Chāyāja depicted with sun emblem and royal-sage attire; luminous gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean labeled sequence like an illustrated index: Satya→Hari→Devadāra→Vaikuṇṭha→Vāmana; side portrait of Chāyāja with solar insignia; soft shading, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant multi-scene composition: five Viṣṇu epithets as separate cloud-borne vignettes, Vāmana in brahminical garb; Chāyāja shown receiving a solar blessing; fine detailing and calligraphy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हरिर्देवदरः = हरिः + देवदरः; सूर्यपुत्रस्तु = सूर्यपुत्रः + तु; चाष्टमो = च + अष्टमः
Related Themes: Agni Purana manvantara name-lists and Viṣṇu-nāma discussions in adjacent verses (150.10–150.12)
FAQs
It conveys manvantara-vidyā (Puranic chronology): the ordered naming of divine epithets and the identification of the eighth Manu as Chāyāja, the Sun’s son—useful for aligning genealogies, eras, and manvantara-based ritual narratives.
By cataloging cosmic administration (Manus) alongside key Vishnu-epithets, it functions like a reference index for time-cycles, genealogy, and theology—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark encyclopedic features.
Remembering and reciting the correct manvantara lineage and Vishnu’s sacred names supports smṛti (devotional recollection), reinforcing dharmic orientation within cosmic order (ṛta) and strengthening bhakti through name-based contemplation.