Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 14
Sūryavaṃśa-kīrtana
Proclamation of the Solar Dynasty
मुहूर्तभूतं देवस्य मर्त्ये बहुयुगं गतम् आजगाम जवेनाथ स्वां पुरीं यादवैर् वृताम्
muhūrtabhūtaṃ devasya martye bahuyugaṃ gatam ājagāma javenātha svāṃ purīṃ yādavair vṛtām
ദേവനു ഒരു മുഹൂർത്തമാത്രമായത് മർത്ത്യലോകത്തിൽ അനേകം യുഗങ്ങളായി കഴിഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. തുടർന്ന് അവൻ വേഗത്തിൽ യാദവർ ചുറ്റിപ്പറ്റിയ തന്റെ നഗരത്തിലേക്ക് മടങ്ങി വന്നു.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Teaches relative time (deva-time vs human-time) and frames Purāṇic chronology; useful for interpreting mythic narratives involving Brahmaloka/Devaloka visits and return to Dvārakā/Kuśasthalī traditions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Time dilation: Deva-muhūrta equals many human yugas; return to Yādava city","lookup_keywords":["muhūrta","yuga","deva-kāla","martyakāla","Yādava"],"quick_summary":"States a cosmological time principle: what is brief for a deity can span vast ages for humans, then narrates the swift return to the Yādava-encircled city—key for Purāṇic chronology."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (paradox)
Concept: Relativity of time across planes of existence; human history is a small slice within cosmic cycles.
Application: Cultivates detachment and long-view ethics; aids readers in interpreting Purāṇic timelines without literalist confusion.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purana Narrative (Krishna–Yadava Cycle / Dvaraka-Return Episode)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: City/Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A split-scene showing cosmic time: in Brahmā’s realm a brief moment passes, while below on earth ages roll by (changing landscapes, generations). Then Kakudmī returns swiftly to a fortified Yādava city crowded with Yādava clansmen.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-register composition: upper celestial realm with brief luminous moment, lower earth with successive age symbols (fading kings, changing trees), then the king returning to a bustling Yādava city, bold colors and stylized motion lines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dramatic gold-highlighted city of the Yādavas, the returning king in a chariot, cosmic clock motifs (sun-moon) in gold, layered narrative panels with embossed details","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic time-lapse panels: muhūrta vs yuga illustrated with sequential vignettes, final panel of return to city with labeled Yādavas, fine linework and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, sophisticated narrative montage: celestial pavilion above, earthly landscape below showing passage of eras through architectural decay and renewal, then a lively city scene with Yādava guards and citizens, meticulous detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yādavaiḥ+vṛtām → yādavair vṛtām (visarga/r-sandhi); javenātha → javena+atha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana cosmological measures of time (kalpa, manvantara, yuga, muhūrta); Agni Purana Krishna/Yādava-related narrative segments
FAQs
It conveys cosmological time-reckoning: a deity’s brief interval (muhūrta) can correspond to vast human time (many yugas), illustrating differing temporal scales between divine and mortal realms.
Alongside ritual, polity, and sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves puranic cosmology and narrative theology; this verse embeds technical concepts of time-units (muhūrta, yuga) within an epic-style storyline.
It underscores the transcendence of divine reality over human limitation, encouraging detachment from worldly time and trust in the higher order governing cosmic cycles.