Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
मुनयो बलिरिन्द्रश् च विरजप्रमुखाः सुताः नवमो दक्षसावर्णिः पाराद्याश् च तदा सुराः
munayo balirindraś ca virajapramukhāḥ sutāḥ navamo dakṣasāvarṇiḥ pārādyāś ca tadā surāḥ
ਮੁਨੀ, ਬਲੀ ਅਤੇ ਇੰਦਰ, ਅਤੇ ਵਿਰਜ-ਪ੍ਰਮੁੱਖ ਪੁੱਤਰ (ਉਸ ਸਮੇਂ) ਹੋਣਗੇ। ਤਦ ਨੌਵਾਂ ਮਨੂ ‘ਦਕਸ਼-ਸਾਵਰਣੀ’ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ; ਅਤੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਪਾਰਾ ਆਦਿ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋਣਗੇ।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic chronology to the inquirer, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Reference for identifying the ninth Manvantara’s personnel (Manu/Indra/Ṛṣi lineages) when aligning Purāṇic genealogies and dharma narratives to cosmic epochs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Navama-Manvantara: Dakṣa-Sāvarṇi Manu, Bali–Indra, and Viraja-line sons","lookup_keywords":["Dakṣa-sāvarṇi","navama manu","Bali","Viraja","Pāra devāḥ"],"quick_summary":"Names the ninth Manu as Dakṣa-Sāvarṇi and notes the associated sages and rulers (Bali, Indra), with progeny headed by Viraja and deva-groups beginning with Pāra."}
Concept: Cosmic governance is periodically reassigned: each Manvantara has its Manu, Indra, Ṛṣis, and deva-classes.
Application: Supports systematic reading of Purāṇic history as epochal cycles rather than linear chronology.
Khanda Section: Manvantara-Varṇana (Cosmic Chronology and Genealogies)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scroll-like cosmic genealogy: Dakṣa-Sāvarṇi Manu at center, with Bali and Indra depicted as epochal rulers; Viraja and his line shown branching like a tree; deva-group Pāra indicated as a cohort.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, genealogical tree motif behind Dakṣa-Sāvarṇi, Bali and Indra flanking, sages in white garments, deva-cohort labeled Pāra, lotus borders and temple-mural symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central enthroned Dakṣa-Sāvarṇi with gold arch, Bali and Indra as regal figures on either side, branching lineage of Viraja rendered as stylized vine with gold accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional genealogy diagram with figures and name captions, muted palette, precise outlines, emphasis on clarity of relationships (Manu–Indra–sons–devas).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, manuscript folio composition: Dakṣa-Sāvarṇi seated, Bali and Indra in court attire, Viraja’s descendants as smaller vignettes connected by painted lines, deva-group Pāra in the background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: balirindraś ca = baliḥ + indraḥ + ca; pārādyāś ca = pārādyāḥ + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: continuing Manvantara lists (150.12–16)
FAQs
This verse imparts Manvantara-vidyā: the technical Purāṇic mapping of cosmic time by identifying the Manu (Dakṣa-sāvarṇi) and the associated divine roster (Indra, sages, and devas) for that era.
It functions as a chronological index of the cosmos—cataloguing rulers of time (Manus), administrative deities (Indra and the suras), and key lineages—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic scope beyond ritual into cosmology and historical theology.
Remembering and reciting Manvantara lineages is traditionally treated as smṛti-based puṇya: it aligns the devotee’s understanding with dharma across cosmic cycles and fosters reverence for divine order (ṛta) governing each age.