Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 3
Chapter 13 — कुरुपाण्डवोत्पत्त्यादिकथनं
Narration of the Origin of the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas, and Related Matters
तस्मादायुस्ततो राजा नहुषो ऽतो ययातिकः ततः पुरुस्तस्य वंशे भरतो ऽथ नृपः कुरुः
tasmādāyustato rājā nahuṣo 'to yayātikaḥ tataḥ purustasya vaṃśe bharato 'tha nṛpaḥ kuruḥ
Từ đó sinh Āyu; rồi đến vua Nahuṣa; từ Nahuṣa sinh Yayāti; từ Yayāti sinh Puru; và trong dòng dõi ấy xuất hiện Bharata, rồi đến vua Kuru.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic genealogies to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Dynastic mapping for the Somavaṃśa leading to Bharata and Kuru—used to situate dharma narratives, royal duties, and epic characters within a remembered lineage.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Aila line to Kuru: Āyu–Nahuṣa–Yayāti–Puru–Bharata–Kuru","lookup_keywords":["Āyu","Nahuṣa","Yayāti","Puru","Bharata","Kuru"],"quick_summary":"A concise succession list tracing the lunar dynasty from Āyu to Kuru, establishing the ancestral backbone for the Kaurava–Pāṇḍava epic."}
Concept: Historical memory as dharma-support: kingship and social order are narrated through vaṃśa continuity.
Application: When reading Mahābhārata, use this chain to track obligations (rāja-dharma) and inherited conflicts; supports teaching of lineage-based responsibilities.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-anuvarnana (Genealogies of kings / Puranic dynastic lists)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A genealogical scroll-like depiction: crowned kings in sequence—Āyu, Nahuṣa, Yayāti, Puru, Bharata, Kuru—each connected by a stylized vine/lineage tree, with royal emblems and brief identifiers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: six royal figures in a horizontal frieze, each with crown and halo-like aura, connected by a decorative creeper motif; minimal background, strong outlines, traditional color blocks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: each king in an arched niche with gold foil borders; lineage connections shown with gold vine; rich textiles and jewelry; symmetrical layout.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic genealogical chart aesthetic—soft colors, clear separations, readable sequence; palace backdrop lightly indicated; emphasis on clarity over ornament.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: portrait-like kings with individualized faces and costumes; lineage shown as a tree diagram in the margin; fine detailing, patterned borders, calligraphic names."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्मादायुस्ततो→तस्मात् + आयुः + ततः; नहुषोऽतो→नहुषः + अतः; भरतोऽथ→भरतः + अथ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 13 (continuation into Śāntanu and Bhīṣma lineage)
FAQs
This verse imparts Vamśa-vidyā—structured dynastic knowledge used in Purāṇic historiography to preserve royal succession and contextualize later dharma and polity narratives.
By cataloging lineage succession (Āyu → Nahuṣa → Yayāti → Puru → Bharata → Kuru), it functions as a historical-index layer that links diverse Agni Purana topics—rajadharma, sacred geography, and epic-era traditions—into a coherent puranic framework.
Remembering and transmitting righteous lineages is treated in Purāṇic culture as punya-generating smṛti (meritorious remembrance), reinforcing continuity of dharma through exemplary ancestral kings.