Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 41
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
एते भूता भविष्याश् च नृपाः संख्या न विद्यते अत्र पाठः पतितः धनञ्जयात् क उत्पन्न इति विशेषाप्राप्तेः गताः कालेन कालो हि हरिस्तं पूजयेद्द्विज होममग्नौसमुद्दिश्य कुरु सर्वप्रदं यतः
ete bhūtā bhaviṣyāś ca nṛpāḥ saṃkhyā na vidyate atra pāṭhaḥ patitaḥ dhanañjayāt ka utpanna iti viśeṣāprāpteḥ gatāḥ kālena kālo hi haristaṃ pūjayeddvija homamagnausamuddiśya kuru sarvapradaṃ yataḥ
இவர்கள் கடந்தவும் வருங்காலமும் உள்ள அரசர்கள்; இவர்களின் எண்ணிக்கை கணிக்க இயலாது. இங்கு தனஞ்சயன் குறிப்பிற்குப் பின் பாடத்தின் ஒரு பகுதி விழுந்துவிட்டது; “அவன் யாரிடமிருந்து பிறந்தான்?” என்ற சிறப்பு விவரம் கிடைக்கவில்லை. அனைவரையும் காலம் எடுத்துச் செல்கிறது; காலமே ஹரி (விஷ்ணு). ஆகவே, ஓ த்விஜா, அவரை வழிபடு; அக்னியை நோக்கி ஹோமம் செய், ஏனெனில் அவர் அனைத்தையும் அருள்பவர்.
Lord Agni (instructional narration, typical Agni Purana dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Royal/householder instruction to recognize impermanence of dynasties, worship Hari as Time, and perform Agni-homa for desired boons.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Kāla as Hari and Agni-homa as sarva-prada","lookup_keywords":["kāla","hari","agni-homa","rājadharma","vaṃśa-anukrama"],"quick_summary":"Dynasties are innumerable and all are consumed by Time identified with Hari; therefore worship Viṣṇu and offer homa into Agni as a boon-bestowing rite."}
Concept: Kāla (Time) as the supreme devouring principle identified with Hari; ritual worship as human response to impermanence.
Application: Cultivate detachment from lineage-pride; perform Viṣṇu-pūjā and Agni-homa as regular dharmic practice for protection and prosperity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Punya-karmas (Royal Genealogies and Ritual Merit)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage addresses a brāhmaṇa: behind them a long, fading procession of kings dissolves into a vast wheel of Time; in the foreground a homa-kunda blazes as offerings are poured to Agni while Hari is contemplated as Kāla.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a brāhmaṇa and ṛṣi near a flaming homa-kunda, stylized wheel of Kāla behind, Viṣṇu’s aura subtly present, ornate borders, flat perspective, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central homa-kunda with bright flames, brāhmaṇa offering ghee, faint golden halo suggesting Hari as Kāla, rich reds and greens, heavy gold leaf embellishment on ornaments and fire altar.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional ritual scene: labeled homa implements (sruk, sruva, samidh), brāhmaṇa seated, serene Viṣṇu-symbol (chakra) indicating Kāla-Hari concept, delicate lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly genealogy scroll in background with many kings, foreground priest performing homa, detailed textiles and architecture, a symbolic time-wheel in the sky, fine brushwork and naturalistic faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhaviṣyāś ca → bhaviṣyāḥ + ca; haristaṃ → hariḥ + tam; pūjayeddvija → pūjayet + dvija; homamagnausamuddiśya → homam + agnau + samuddiśya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on dāna/homa and pūjā-vidhi; Agni Purana genealogical (vaṃśa) narration chapters preceding 277
FAQs
It directs the practitioner to perform homa—offering oblations into Agni with a clear dedication (samuddiśya)—as a sarva-prada (all-bestowing) rite, alongside worship of Hari.
It combines historiographic material (uncountable royal lineages and a note about a missing textual segment) with theology (Kāla as Hari) and practical ritual instruction (homa), illustrating the Purana’s multi-domain scope.
By recognizing Time’s supremacy as Hari and performing homa into Agni, one aligns action with dharma and seeks comprehensive auspicious results (sarva-prada), traditionally understood as purification and merit (puṇya).