Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 39
Sūryavaṃśa-kīrtana
Proclamation of the Solar Dynasty
चन्द्रावलोकतस्तारापीडो ऽस्माच्चन्द्रपर्वतः चन्द्रगिरेर्भानुरथः श्रुतायुस्तस्य चात्मजः इक्ष्वाकुवंशप्रभवाः सूर्यवंशधराः स्मृताः
candrāvalokatastārāpīḍo 'smāccandraparvataḥ candragirerbhānurathaḥ śrutāyustasya cātmajaḥ ikṣvākuvaṃśaprabhavāḥ sūryavaṃśadharāḥ smṛtāḥ
ਚੰਦਰਾਵਲੋਕ ਤੋਂ ਤਾਰਾਪੀੜ ਹੋਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਚੰਦਰਪਰਵਤ। ਚੰਦਰਪਰਵਤ ਤੋਂ ਚੰਦਰਗਿਰੀ, ਚੰਦਰਗਿਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਭਾਨੁਰਥ ਅਤੇ ਭਾਨੁਰਥ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਸ਼੍ਰੁਤਾਯੁ ਸੀ। ਇਹ ਇક્ષਵਾਕੁ ਵੰਸ਼ ਦੇ ਉਤਪੰਨ, ਸੂਰਜ ਵੰਸ਼ ਦੇ ਧਾਰਕ ਮੰਨੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic genealogy to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Concludes/extends the Ikṣvāku succession and explicitly labels them as Sūryavaṃśa-bearers; useful for purāṇic taxonomy (which line a king belongs to) and for aligning royal ideology with solar symbolism.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sūryavaṃśa identification: Candrāloka to Śrutāyus and Ikṣvāku descent","lookup_keywords":["Tārāpīḍa","Candraparvata","Candragiri","Bhānuratha","Śrutāyus"],"quick_summary":"Extends the chain from Candrāloka through Tārāpīḍa, Candraparvata, Candragiri, Bhānuratha to Śrutāyus, and affirms them as Ikṣvāku-descended upholders of the Solar dynasty."}
Concept: Rājadharma is framed through vaṃśa-identity: being ‘Sūryavaṃśadhara’ implies sustaining inherited dharmic standards of rule.
Application: In discourse on kingship, connect ethical expectations to lineage ideals (Sūryavaṃśa as archetype of dharma-rājya).
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anucharita (Genealogies of the Solar Dynasty / Suryavamsha)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand vaṃśa-vṛkṣa culminating in a sun emblem labeled ‘Ikṣvāku-vaṃśa / Sūryavaṃśa’; portraits or name-cartouches for Tārāpīḍa, Candraparvata, Candragiri, Bhānuratha, Śrutāyus; sun and moon motifs interplay (Candra-names within Sūryavaṃśa).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: large central sun-disc (Sūryavaṃśa) with branching creepers holding name medallions; Candra-themed kings with subtle moon motifs; traditional flat colors, temple-wall symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: radiant gold sun halo at top with embossed ‘Sūryavaṃśa’; below, gold-framed medallions for the kings; rich jewel tones, heavy ornamentation, gold work emphasizing solar legitimacy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic genealogy chart with sun emblem and neat arrows; small portraits with consistent regalia; balanced composition, soft shading, restrained gold accents.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: illuminated manuscript page with a genealogical tree; sun emblem in the header, moon motifs near Candra-named figures; fine floral borders and detailed cartouches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Sūryakānt","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: candrāvalokatastārāpīḍo → candrāvalokataḥ tārāpīḍaḥ; 'smāccandra- → asmāt candra-; candragirerbhānurathaḥ → candra-gireḥ bhānurathaḥ; cātmajaḥ → ca ātmajaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 272 (Sūryavaṃśa/Ikṣvāku vaṃśa catalogues)
FAQs
This verse imparts vaṃśa-vidyā (genealogical knowledge): a structured succession of rulers in the Ikṣvāku/Sūryavaṃśa line, used in Purāṇic historiography and traditional king-lists.
By preserving dynastic succession data (names, descent relations, and lineage identity), it functions as a reference register alongside the Agni Purana’s other domains (ritual, polity, architecture, medicine), demonstrating its compendious, catalog-like method.
Recitation and remembrance of righteous lineages in Purāṇic tradition is treated as smṛti-saṃskāra—strengthening dharma-oriented memory, inspiring rājarṣi ideals, and accruing merit through engagement with sacred historical transmission.