Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 5
Chapter 276 — राजवंशवर्णनम्
Description of Royal Lineages
घृतात्तु विदुषस्तस्मात् प्रचेतास्तस्य वै शतम् आनद्रश् च सभानरश्चाक्षुषः परमेषुकः
ghṛtāttu viduṣastasmāt pracetāstasya vai śatam ānadraś ca sabhānaraścākṣuṣaḥ parameṣukaḥ
க்ருதனிடமிருந்து ‘விதுஷ்’ எனும் ஞானி பிறந்தான்; அவனிடமிருந்து பிரசேதஸ் பிறந்தான். அவனுக்கு உண்மையாக நூறு மகன்கள் இருந்தனர்—ஆனத்ர, சபாநர, ஆக்ஷுஷ, பரமேஷுக முதலியோர்.
Lord Agni (narrating genealogical material to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Cataloguing descendants (including a 'hundred sons' motif) for lineage tracking; aids identification of sub-branches and name-variants in puranic transmission.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Genealogy: Ghṛta → Viduṣ → Pracetas → Hundred sons (Ānadra, Sabhānara, Ākṣuṣa, Parameṣuka...)","lookup_keywords":["Ghṛta","Viduṣ","Pracetas","śata-putra","Sabhānara"],"quick_summary":"Continues the line from Ghṛta to Viduṣ and Pracetas, noting a prolific generation of a hundred sons with exemplar names; useful for mapping later dynastic offshoots."}
Concept: Praja-vistāra (expansion of progeny) as a royal ideal when aligned with dharma; wisdom (Viduṣ) is presented as a valued trait in lineage memory.
Application: Used in recitation to emphasize continuity and the branching nature of dynasties; supports traditional identity narratives.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anukramanika (Genealogies / Puranic lineages)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A genealogical tableau showing Ghṛta, Viduṣ, Pracetas, and a wide semicircle of many sons, with four named sons highlighted on banners: Ānadra, Sabhānara, Ākṣuṣa, Parameṣuka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three-tier composition: ancestors above, Pracetas center, many sons below as repeated stylized figures, four highlighted with distinct color sashes and name panels.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Pracetas central with gold halo, rows of small prince figures beneath, ornate gold nameplates for the four listed sons, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, manuscript-illustration feel, neat rows of labeled portraits, emphasis on clarity and lineage connections with thin connecting lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, durbar-like family assembly, numerous princes seated in ranks, calligraphic cartouches naming the four exemplars, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Raga Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: घृतात् + तु → घृतात्तु (t + t gemination); विदुषः + तस्मात् → विदुषस्तस्मात् (visarga before t → s); प्रचेताः + तस्य → प्रचेतास्तस्य (visarga before t → s); आनद्रः + च → आनद्रश्च (visarga before c → ś); सभानरः + चाक्षुषः → सभानरश्चाक्षुषः (visarga before c → ś).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: subsequent verses continuing from Sabhānara and related branches; Agni Purana: other 'śata-putra' enumerations in Vamsha sections
FAQs
This verse primarily transmits vamśa-vidyā (genealogical knowledge): it records descent and enumerates names, preserving lineage memory rather than prescribing a ritual procedure.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves dynastic catalogues; such name-lists function as a reference framework connecting myths, kings, sages, and regional traditions across Purāṇic literature.
Remembering and reciting righteous lineages is traditionally treated as smṛti and śravaṇa merit: it reinforces continuity of dharma, honors ancestral transmission, and situates later teachings within an authoritative Purāṇic tradition.