Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 29
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
मत्स्यकाली कुशाग्रो ऽतो ह्य् आसीद्राज्ञो वृहद्रथात् कुशाग्राद्वृषभो जज्ञे तस्य सत्यहितः सुतः
matsyakālī kuśāgro 'to hy āsīdrājño vṛhadrathāt kuśāgrādvṛṣabho jajñe tasya satyahitaḥ sutaḥ
ਰਾਜਾ ਵ੍ਰਿਹਦ੍ਰਥ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਸ਼ਾਗ੍ਰ ਜੰਮਿਆ, ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ‘ਮਤ੍ਸ੍ਯਕਾਲੀ’ ਵੀ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਕੁਸ਼ਾਗ੍ਰ ਤੋਂ ਵ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਭ ਜੰਮਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਸਤ੍ਯਹਿਤ ਸੀ।
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Tracks Magadha-linked succession (Vṛhadratha line) and preserves alternate epithet (Matsyakālī) for Kuśāgra, aiding identification across Purāṇic variants.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vṛhadratha line: Kuśāgra (Matsyakālī) → Vṛṣabha → Satyahita","lookup_keywords":["Vṛhadratha","Kuśāgra","Matsyakālī","Vṛṣabha","Satyahita"],"quick_summary":"A short dynastic chain gives Kuśāgra’s alternate name (Matsyakālī) and continues the descent to Vṛṣabha and Satyahita, serving as a concordance key for genealogy."}
Concept: Name-variants (paryāya) as keys to textual concordance; genealogy as a knowledge-system for mapping narrative history.
Application: When reading parallel Purāṇas/Itihāsa, use epithets like Matsyakālī to reconcile differing name-forms and avoid duplicate-person errors.
Khanda Section: Vamshanucharita (Genealogies of Kings and Sages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal genealogy vignette: King Vṛhadratha enthroned; Kuśāgra shown with a caption ‘Matsyakālī’; then Vṛṣabha and Satyahita as successive heirs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: three-generation tableau with stylized thrones and parasols; Kuśāgra labeled Matsyakālī; flat color fields, ornate jewelry, traditional borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central enthroned Vṛhadratha with gold halo; smaller side panels for Kuśāgra (Matsyakālī), Vṛṣabha, Satyahita; embossed gold ornaments and rich brocade patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean genealogical panel with captions and subtle shading; emphasis on the alternate name Matsyakālī as a callout; refined linework and decorative frame.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly succession scene with detailed architecture; each prince presented with attendants; fine calligraphy cartouches for names including Matsyakālī."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुशाग्रो ऽतो → कुशाग्रः अतः; ह्य् आसीद्राज्ञो → हि आसीत् राज्ञः; कुशाग्राद्वृषभो → कुशाग्रात् वृषभः
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Vamśānucarita sequences around Magadha kings and Jarāsandha context
FAQs
This verse transmits vamśa-vidyā (genealogical knowledge): the ordered succession of kings—used in Purāṇic historiography and for anchoring later narratives to specific lineages.
By preserving structured dynastic data (names, succession, epithets), it functions like a historical index alongside the Agni Purana’s other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, and arts), demonstrating its compendium-style organization.
Remembering and reciting righteous lineages (vamśānukīrtana) is traditionally regarded as punya-generating, reinforcing dharma through exemplars of kingship and continuity of sacred history.