Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 13
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
राजवंशस्तु कैकेयि भरतात् परिहास्यते देवासुरे पुरा युद्धे शम्बरेण हताः सुराः
rājavaṃśastu kaikeyi bharatāt parihāsyate devāsure purā yuddhe śambareṇa hatāḥ surāḥ
Nhưng dòng vương tộc này, hỡi Kaikeyī, được nói rằng sẽ trở thành trò cười vì Bharata. Thuở xưa, trong cuộc chiến giữa chư Thiên và A-tu-la, các vị thần đã bị Śambara sát hại.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic history/genealogy in the Agni Purana’s discourse tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Using puranic exempla (deva-asura war) as political-moral warning: dynastic disgrace arises from adharma; mythic precedent strengthens counsel.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dynastic ridicule and the Śambara exemplum (Deva–Asura war)","lookup_keywords":["rajavamsha ridicule","Shambara","deva asura war","Kaikeyi warning","mythic exemplum"],"quick_summary":"The verse warns that the royal lineage will become ridiculed due to Bharata-related events, citing an ancient deva–asura battle where Śambara slew the gods as a precedent of reversal and disgrace."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛṣṭānta (illustrative example)
Concept: Adharma in rulership brings apakīrti (infamy) to lineage; cosmic history is invoked to show that even ‘gods’ can fall when order is disrupted.
Application: Leaders should consider reputational and generational consequences; avoid actions that stain lineage and public trust.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purana / Rajavamsha (Genealogy and Royal Lineages)
Primary Rasa: bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warning about royal lineage is spoken, followed by a flashback-like image of an ancient Deva–Asura war where Śambara defeats the gods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-panel: foreground Kaikeyi being warned, background cosmic battle with devas and asuras, Śambara as a powerful asura figure, bold reds/ochres, stylized weapons and dynamic poses","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold work: central Śambara towering over fallen devas, ornate armor and jewelry, with a small side vignette of Kaikeyi hearing the warning, rich gilded accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, narrative diptych: left counsel scene, right deva–asura battle rendered with clear linework and labeled figures, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed battlefield with banners and formations, Śambara depicted as a formidable warrior, fallen devas, and a courtly inset of Kaikeyi’s chamber as narrative frame"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजवंशस्तु → राजवंशः तु; देवासुरे → देव-असुरे (द्वन्द्व).
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections recounting deva–asura conflicts and demon figures (Śambara) in puranic catalogues
FAQs
This verse is primarily genealogical–historical (itihāsa/purāṇa-vidyā), conveying how dynastic reputation is shaped by actions, illustrated through a mythic precedent (Deva–Asura conflict).
Alongside ritual and technical subjects, the Agni Purana preserves royal lineages and mythic-history motifs; this verse exemplifies its documentation of dynastic narratives and cosmological warfare traditions.
It underscores that actions can bring lasting honor or ridicule upon a lineage; fame (yaśas) and blame (apayaśas) are treated as karmic consequences that outlive the individual.