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
चन्द्रावलोकात् तारापीडोऽभूत्, तस्माच्चन्द्रपर्वतः। चन्द्रपर्वतात् चन्द्रगिरिः, चन्द्रगिरेर्भानुरथः; तस्यात्मजः श्रुतायुः। एते इक्ष्वाकुवंशप्रभवाः सूर्यवंशधराः स्मृताः॥
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.