Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 13
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇanam
Description of the Incarnation of Śrī Rāma
श्रुतकीर्तिं माण्डवीञ्च कुशध्वजसुते तथा जनकस्यानुजस्यैते शत्रुघ्नभरतावुभौ
śrutakīrtiṃ māṇḍavīñca kuśadhvajasute tathā janakasyānujasyaite śatrughnabharatāvubhau
И (они) взяли в жёны Шрутакирти и Мандави — обеих дочерей Кушадхваджи. Эти двое, Бхарата и Шатругхна, были сыновьями младшего брата Джанаки.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic-itihasic summary to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Records dynastic and marital linkage: identifying spouses and lineage (who marries whom; whose daughters), useful for genealogical memory and alliance-mapping in itihāsa narration.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kuśadhvaja’s daughters: Śrutakīrti and Māṇḍavī; Bharata and Śatrughna marriages","lookup_keywords":["Kuśadhvaja","Śrutakīrti","Māṇḍavī","Bharata","Śatrughna"],"quick_summary":"The verse completes the fourfold marriage alliance by naming Kuśadhvaja’s daughters Śrutakīrti and Māṇḍavī as brides of Śatrughna and Bharata, situating them within Janaka’s extended family."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-saṅgraha (onomastic listing)
Concept: Saṅgati (social cohesion) through dharmic alliances: marriages knit together righteous lineages to stabilize polity and family duty.
Application: Recognize the societal function of alliances and responsibilities that follow from kinship ties (support, protection, shared dharma).
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Ramayana Genealogy (Raghuvamsha / Rama-katha context)
Primary Rasa: śṛṅgāra
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Kingdom/Capital
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A concluding alliance tableau: Bharata with Māṇḍavī and Śatrughna with Śrutakīrti, presented as Kuśadhvaja’s daughters, completing the four royal marriages.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: paired couples in balanced composition with attendants holding garlands; inscriptions or symbolic cues indicating Kuśadhvaja’s lineage; bold colors, stylized faces, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: two couples seated/standing with gold-leaf ornamentation; royal finery, halos, and decorative pillars; emphasis on jewelry and textiles with embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: genealogical clarity—Kuśadhvaja indicated near the brides; soft palette and fine outlines; didactic arrangement like a family register painting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate court scene with two couples and a small group of elders; detailed garments and patterned backgrounds; refined facial expressions and balanced negative space."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: माण्डवीञ्च = माण्डवीम् + च. जनकस्यानुजस्यैते = जनकस्य + अनुजस्य + एते. शत्रुघ्नभरतावुभौ = शत्रुघ्न-भरतौ + उभौ (द्वन्द्व + विशेषण).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 5.12 (Rāma-Sītā; Lakṣmaṇa-Urmilā)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse preserves itihāsa-style genealogical data—names, marital ties, and lineage connections.
By cataloging Ramayana-linked dynastic and matrimonial relationships, it functions as a reference index of epic genealogy—one of the Agni Purana’s many compendious subject streams alongside ritual, polity, and śāstra.
The spiritual value lies in śravaṇa/smaraṇa of dhārmic lineages and exemplary royal households, supporting faith, cultural memory, and merit associated with hearing sacred histories.