Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 31
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
सहदेवादुदापिश् च उदापेः श्रुतकर्मकः परिक्षितस्य दायादो धार्मिको जनमेजयः
sahadevādudāpiś ca udāpeḥ śrutakarmakaḥ parikṣitasya dāyādo dhārmiko janamejayaḥ
सहदेवापासून उदापि झाला आणि उदापिपासून श्रुतकर्मक. परिक्षिताचा धर्मात्मा वारस जनमेजय होता.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Dynastic memory for Itihasa-Purana study, legitimizing succession (dāyāda) and exemplifying righteous kingship as a dharmic ideal for rulers and listeners.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kuru-vamsha Succession: Sahadeva → Udāpi → Śrutakarmaka; Parikṣit → Janamejaya","lookup_keywords":["Sahadeva","Udāpi","Śrutakarmaka","Parikṣit","Janamejaya"],"quick_summary":"Records a segment of Kuru lineage and explicitly marks Janamejaya as Parikṣit’s dhārmika heir, useful for cross-checking epic genealogies and succession order."}
Concept: Dhārmika rulership and legitimate succession (dāyāda) as social stabilizer.
Application: Frames kingship as a moral office; encourages governance continuity through rightful inheritance and adherence to dharma.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Puranic Genealogy (Vamsha/Anuvamsha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal genealogical tableau: sages reciting lineage while a crowned Janamejaya is shown as Parikṣit’s successor, with name-scrolls linking Sahadeva → Udāpi → Śrutakarmaka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm earthy palette, a rishi narrator with palm-leaf manuscript, behind him a stylized Kuru court; Parikṣit handing royal insignia to Janamejaya; decorative borders, flat iconic faces.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Janamejaya enthroned with gold foil halo and ornate jewelry, Parikṣit beside him indicating succession; small medallions showing Sahadeva, Udāpi, Śrutakarmaka; rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework and soft shading; instructional genealogy chart motif with figures and connecting bands; court setting minimal, emphasis on clarity of succession.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court interior, scribes recording lineage, Parikṣit presenting a seal to Janamejaya; fine textiles, naturalistic faces, calligraphic labels for names."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सहदेवात्+उदापिः→सहदेवादुदापिः; उदापिः+च→उदापिश् च (विसर्ग/श्च); अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-सन्धि न्यून।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 277 (Vamsha/Anuvamsha section)
FAQs
This verse primarily imparts vamsha-vidya (genealogical knowledge): the dynastic succession linking Sahadeva → Udāpi → Śrutakarmaka, and identifying Janamejaya as Parikṣit’s heir.
By preserving structured royal genealogies, the Agni Purana functions as a historical-encyclopedic register—cataloguing lineages that connect epic-era rulers (Parikṣit, Janamejaya) to broader Puranic chronology and political tradition.
By highlighting Janamejaya as “dhārmika,” the verse frames rightful succession as dharma-aligned kingship, implying that maintaining lineage continuity and righteous rule supports social order (dharma) and accrues religious merit.