Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 29
Sūryavaṃśa-kīrtana
Proclamation of the Solar Dynasty
खनन्तः पृथिवीं दग्धा विष्णुना बहुसागराः असमञ्जसो ऽंश्रुमांश् च दिलीपो ऽंशुमतो ऽभवत्
khanantaḥ pṛthivīṃ dagdhā viṣṇunā bahusāgarāḥ asamañjaso 'ṃśrumāṃś ca dilīpo 'ṃśumato 'bhavat
ते पृथ्वी खणत असता विष्णूने दग्ध झाले, आणि तेव्हा अनेक सागर उत्पन्न झाले. असमञ्जसापासून अंश्रुमान, अंश्रुमानापासून दिलीप, आणि दिलीपापासून अंशुमान झाला.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic genealogy to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Mythic etiology for the emergence of seas and a cautionary model of collective action; also anchors the succession Asamañjasa → Aṃśrumān → Dilīpa → Aṃśumān for later Ganga-liberation narratives.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sagara’s Sons Dig the Earth; Seas Arise; Succession to Aṃśumān","lookup_keywords":["Sagara-putrāḥ","khanana","Viṣṇu-dagdha","bahu-sāgara","Aṃśumān"],"quick_summary":"Describes the earth being dug and scorched by Viṣṇu, resulting in the formation of many seas, then resumes the royal succession from Asamañjasa to Aṃśrumān, Dilīpa, and Aṃśumān."}
Concept: Unchecked pursuit (khanana) can trigger destructive consequences; divine order (Viṣṇu-tejas) reasserts cosmic boundaries.
Application: Ethical lesson for rulers: regulate large-scale projects and collective force; align enterprise with dharma to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Genealogy (Suryavamsha / Royal Lineages)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Sacred geography / Oceanic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dramatic earth-digging scene: thousands of princes excavating; a burst of divine heat/light from Viṣṇu scorching the ground; newly formed seas flooding into trenches; then a calm vignette of the next heirs (Aṃśrumān, Dilīpa, Aṃśumān).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic rows of princes with spades, stylized flames of Viṣṇu-tejas, blue-green sea bands filling fissures, later panel with three kings in calm posture, bold outlines and temple motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central radiant Viṣṇu aura with gold embossing, princes digging below, swirling ocean waves with gold highlights, side medallions of Aṃśrumān–Dilīpa–Aṃśumān.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear narrative sequencing in two registers: excavation and scorching above, genealogical portraits below, fine linework and readable labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling excavation with many figures, dramatic light effect, water rushing into channels, detailed landscape textures; a separate inset showing the royal succession portraits."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: असमञ्जसो ऽंश्रुमान् → असमञ्जसः + अंश्रुमान्; दिलीपो ऽंशुमतः → दिलीपः + अंशुमतः; ऽभवत् → अभवत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 272 (continuation toward Bhagiratha/Gaṅgā-lāvaṇa themes in broader purāṇic cycle)
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse transmits Itihāsa-Purāṇic knowledge—cosmic-historical narrative (earth scorched by Viṣṇu, formation of seas) and dynastic succession in the Sūryavaṃśa.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic scope by preserving royal genealogies alongside cosmological motifs—functioning as a compact historical index of kings and lineage continuity used across Purāṇic tradition.
By recalling Viṣṇu’s cosmic agency and venerable kingly lineages, the verse supports smṛti (sacred remembrance) and śraddhā; in Purāṇic framing, hearing/reciting such genealogies is treated as merit-yielding because it aligns the listener with dharma and sacred history.