Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 13
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
वत्सादनर्क आसीच्च अनर्कात् क्षेमको ऽभवत् क्षेमकद्वर्षकेतुश् च वर्षकेतोर्विभुः स्मृतः
vatsādanarka āsīcca anarkāt kṣemako 'bhavat kṣemakadvarṣaketuś ca varṣaketorvibhuḥ smṛtaḥ
ਵਤ্স ਤੋਂ ਅਨਰਕ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋਇਆ; ਅਨਰਕ ਤੋਂ ਖੇਮਕ ਹੋਇਆ। ਖੇਮਕ ਤੋਂ ਵਰ্ষਕੇਤੁ ਅਤੇ ਵਰ্ষਕੇਤੁ ਤੋਂ ਵਿਭੂ—ਇਉਂ ਯਾਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana to Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":null,"practical_application":"Maintains continuity of dynastic memory; useful for cross-checking variant Purāṇic king-lists and situating later narratives.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vatsa line: Anarka, Kṣemaka, Varṣaketu, Vibhu","lookup_keywords":["Vatsa","Anarka","Ksemaka","Varsaketu","Vibhu"],"quick_summary":"Gives a compact succession from Vatsa to Anarka, Kṣemaka, Varṣaketu, and Vibhu, preserving the order of rulers/descendants."}
Khanda Section: Vamshanucarita (Genealogies of kings and sages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A minimalist lineage scroll showing Vatsa and four successors in order, each as a small crowned figure connected by a line.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural frieze of five kings with stylized crowns, each separated by lotus medallions, warm ochres and reds, temple border motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore lineage panel with gold leaf halos around each king, embossed name plaques, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style genealogical chart with portrait roundels and connecting vines, emphasis on legibility and symmetry","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a scribe painting a genealogy album page with small royal portraits and calligraphic labels"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वत्सादनर्क → वत्सात् + अनर्कः; आसीच्च → आसीत् + च; क्षेमकोऽभवत् → क्षेमकः + अभवत्; क्षेमकद्वर्षकेतुश् → क्षेमकात् + वर्षकेतुः (त् + व → द्व/द्व् लेखन-परम्परा); वर्षकेतोर्विभुः → वर्षकेतोः + विभुः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana ch. 277 adjacent succession verses continuing the same branch
FAQs
This verse primarily transmits vamśa-vidyā (dynastic knowledge): the precise succession of rulers, preserving authoritative lineage memory rather than prescribing a ritual.
By cataloging royal genealogies alongside rituals, dharma, and other sciences, the Agni Purana functions as a reference compendium—here serving as a structured record of succession used for itihāsa-purāṇa chronology.
Remembering and reciting righteous lineages is traditionally treated as smṛti-saṃrakṣaṇa (preservation of sacred history), supporting dharma by anchoring social order and exemplars of kingship in transmitted tradition.