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
At (sila) ay nag-asawa kina Śrutakīrti at Māṇḍavī—kapwa mga anak na babae ni Kuśadhvaja. Ang dalawang ito, sina Bharata at Śatrughna, ay mga anak ng nakababatang kapatid ni Haring Janaka.
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.