Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 13
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
वत्सादनर्क आसीच्च अनर्कात् क्षेमको ऽभवत् क्षेमकद्वर्षकेतुश् च वर्षकेतोर्विभुः स्मृतः
vatsādanarka āsīcca anarkāt kṣemako 'bhavat kṣemakadvarṣaketuś ca varṣaketorvibhuḥ smṛtaḥ
At mula kay Vatsa ay isinilang si Anarka; mula kay Anarka ay lumitaw si Kṣemaka. Mula kay Kṣemaka ay si Varṣaketu; at mula kay Varṣaketu ay si Vibhu, na inaalala bilang kahalili.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana to Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":null,"practical_application":"Maintains continuity of dynastic memory; useful for cross-checking variant Purāṇic king-lists and situating later narratives.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vatsa line: Anarka, Kṣemaka, Varṣaketu, Vibhu","lookup_keywords":["Vatsa","Anarka","Ksemaka","Varsaketu","Vibhu"],"quick_summary":"Gives a compact succession from Vatsa to Anarka, Kṣemaka, Varṣaketu, and Vibhu, preserving the order of rulers/descendants."}
Khanda Section: Vamshanucarita (Genealogies of kings and sages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A minimalist lineage scroll showing Vatsa and four successors in order, each as a small crowned figure connected by a line.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural frieze of five kings with stylized crowns, each separated by lotus medallions, warm ochres and reds, temple border motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore lineage panel with gold leaf halos around each king, embossed name plaques, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style genealogical chart with portrait roundels and connecting vines, emphasis on legibility and symmetry","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a scribe painting a genealogy album page with small royal portraits and calligraphic labels"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वत्सादनर्क → वत्सात् + अनर्कः; आसीच्च → आसीत् + च; क्षेमकोऽभवत् → क्षेमकः + अभवत्; क्षेमकद्वर्षकेतुश् → क्षेमकात् + वर्षकेतुः (त् + व → द्व/द्व् लेखन-परम्परा); वर्षकेतोर्विभुः → वर्षकेतोः + विभुः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana ch. 277 adjacent succession verses continuing the same branch
FAQs
This verse primarily transmits vamśa-vidyā (dynastic knowledge): the precise succession of rulers, preserving authoritative lineage memory rather than prescribing a ritual.
By cataloging royal genealogies alongside rituals, dharma, and other sciences, the Agni Purana functions as a reference compendium—here serving as a structured record of succession used for itihāsa-purāṇa chronology.
Remembering and reciting righteous lineages is traditionally treated as smṛti-saṃrakṣaṇa (preservation of sacred history), supporting dharma by anchoring social order and exemplars of kingship in transmitted tradition.