Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 6
Chapter 16 — बुद्धाद्यवतारकथनम्
Narration of Buddha and Other Incarnations
दस्यवः शीलहीनाश् च वेदो वाजसनेयकः दश पञ्च च शाखा वै प्रमाणेन भविष्यति
dasyavaḥ śīlahīnāś ca vedo vājasaneyakaḥ daśa pañca ca śākhā vai pramāṇena bhaviṣyati
ଦସ୍ୟୁ ଓ ଶୀଳହୀନ ଲୋକ ବଢ଼ିବା ସମୟରେ, ପ୍ରମାଣାନୁସାରେ ବାଜସନେୟ (ଶୁକ୍ଳ ଯଜୁର୍ବେଦ)ର ପନ୍ଦରଟି ଶାଖା ହେବ।
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic catalog to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Use as a Purāṇic ‘portent’ about scriptural fragmentation and social decay; motivates preservation of śākhā learning, ethical discipline, and authentic transmission.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vājasaneyaka Śākhā-saṅkhyā in Kali Context (15 branches)","lookup_keywords":["Vājasaneyaka","Śukla Yajurveda","śākhā","pañcadaśa","dasyu"],"quick_summary":"In a time of dasyu-like disorder and loss of conduct, the Vājasaneyaka is stated to have fifteen śākhās by authoritative count. The takeaway is the Purāṇic concern with Vedic transmission amid decline."}
Concept: Vedic knowledge is preserved through śākhā lineages; social adharma correlates with instability/fragmentation in transmission.
Application: Support gurukula-style memorization, accurate pada/krama recitation, and ethical discipline of adhvaryu traditions to stabilize learning.
Khanda Section: Veda-śākhā & Purāṇic Prophecy (Vedic recension counts and future decline)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prophetic scene: scholars counting Vedic branches on palm-leaf manuscripts while outside society is troubled by dasyu-like lawlessness; the Vājasaneyaka tradition shown as a central manuscript-tree with fifteen branches.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, a seated ṛṣi with palm-leaf manuscripts, a stylized tree labeled ‘Vājasaneyaka’ branching into fifteen, background showing chaotic figures of dasyu, rich flat colors and temple-mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central golden manuscript or Veda-personification, fifteen gold-highlighted branches radiating, ornate arch frame, small vignettes of social disorder at the margins","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram aesthetic: a labeled branching chart of 15 śākhās with a calm teacher and students, delicate shading, manuscript border motifs","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly library scene with scholars and scribes, marginal scene of bandits outside city gate, meticulous textiles and architecture, subtle symbolism of ‘fifteen branches’"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शीलहीनाश् च = शीलहीनाः + च (विसर्ग-सन्धि); वेदो = वेदः (ओ-आदेशः पूर्वपद-समाप्तौ); दश पञ्च = 15 (संख्या-समुच्चय)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Veda-śākhā enumeration and Purāṇic prophecy passages (same khanda context)
FAQs
It transmits Veda-śākhā-pramāṇa: an authoritative enumeration of the Vājasaneyaka (White Yajurveda) recensions, stating they are counted as fifteen.
By cataloging and standardizing Vedic lineages (śākhās), the text functions like a reference index for ritual and scriptural transmission, alongside its coverage of many other disciplines.
It frames the preservation of Vedic tradition as especially crucial in morally declining times, implying that maintaining authentic śākhā transmission supports dharma and safeguards sacred knowledge.