Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 38
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
नकुलः सहदेवश् च पाण्डोर्माद्य्राञ्च दैवतः अर्जुनस्य च सौभद्रः परिक्षिदभिमन्युतः
nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca pāṇḍormādyrāñca daivataḥ arjunasya ca saubhadraḥ parikṣidabhimanyutaḥ
నకులుడు, సహదేవుడు పాండునికి మాద్రీ ద్వారా దేవతలైన అశ్వినీకుమారుల వలన జన్మించారు. అర్జునునికి సుభద్ర ద్వారా అభిమన్యుని కుమారుడు పరీక్షితుడు జన్మించాడు.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic lineages to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Clarifies divine paternity motifs (Aśvinīkumāras) and succession through Abhimanyu to Parikṣit—useful for epic chronology, Purāṇic king-lists, and dharma discussions on divine begetting.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mādrī’s Twins and the Abhimanyu–Parikṣit Succession","lookup_keywords":["Nakula","Sahadeva","Mādrī","Aśvin","Parikṣit"],"quick_summary":"Records Nakula and Sahadeva as Mādrī’s sons through the Aśvins, and traces Arjuna’s line via Subhadrā to Abhimanyu and onward to Parikṣit. Provides a compact bridge from Pāṇḍavas to post-war Kuru continuity."}
Concept: Providential continuity of dharma through lineage even after catastrophe; divine participation (Aśvins) in sustaining the righteous line.
Application: Reading Purāṇic history as moral-causal narrative: how dharma is preserved through sanctioned births and rightful succession.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Vamsha–Anukramanika (Genealogies and lineage lists)
Primary Rasa: itihasa
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Mādrī with twin sons Nakula and Sahadeva under the presence of the Aśvins; Arjuna and Subhadrā with Abhimanyu; a final vignette of infant/young Parikṣit as heir of the Kurus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Aśvins as twin divine horsemen above, Mādrī with two identical princes, separate panel with Subhadrā and Arjuna, Abhimanyu in warrior attire, Parikṣit as child with royal insignia, strong reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, twin Aśvins with gold halos, Mādrī and twins richly ornamented, Subhadrā in regal sari with gold work, Abhimanyu and child Parikṣit with embossed crowns and aureoles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, sequential storyboard: (1) Mādrī + twins + Aśvins, (2) Arjuna–Subhadrā with Abhimanyu, (3) Parikṣit enthroned as young prince; fine linework and clear labeling.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate palace interiors, Subhadrā and Arjuna in refined costume, Abhimanyu as youthful warrior, Parikṣit as infant in cradle, Aśvins hinted as celestial figures in the sky margin."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सहदेवश् = सहदेवः; पाण्डोर्माद्र्याम् = पाण्डोः + माद्र्याम्; माद्र्याञ्च (पाठभेद/लिप्यन्तर) = माद्र्याम् + च; परिक्षिदभिमन्युतः = परिक्षित् + अभिमन्युतः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 277.37 (Kuntī’s sons); Agni Purana 277.40 (Ghaṭotkaca; other offspring)
FAQs
This verse imparts vamsha-vidyā (genealogical knowledge): it identifies parentage and divine paternity—Nakula and Sahadeva as sons of Mādrī through the Aśvins, and Parikṣit as Abhimanyu’s son in Arjuna’s line.
By preserving Itihāsa-linked dynastic data (Mahābhārata lineages), the Agni Purāṇa functions as a reference compendium—cataloguing royal succession and relationships alongside its many other disciplines.
Remembering and reciting righteous lineages is treated in Purāṇic tradition as smṛti-saṃrakṣaṇa (preservation of sacred memory), reinforcing dharma through exemplars and continuity of righteous kingship.