Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 21
Chapter 19 — कश्यपवंशवर्णनम्
Description of Kaśyapa’s Lineage
छिद्रमन्विष्य चेन्द्रस्तु ते देवा मरुतो ऽभवन् शक्रस्यैकोनपञ्चाशत्सहाया दीप्ततेजसः
chidramanviṣya cendrastu te devā maruto 'bhavan śakrasyaikonapañcāśatsahāyā dīptatejasaḥ
因陀罗（Indra）搜寻其破绽之后，使那些神祇化为摩鲁特（Maruts）——释迦罗（Śakra）四十九位光辉灿然的辅佐者。
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic account to sage Vasiṣṭha, per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Explains the mythic origin and number of Maruts and their association with Indra as allies—useful for Purāṇic deity-lists and ritual invocations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Marut-janma: Indra’s ‘chidra’ and the forty-nine Maruts","lookup_keywords":["marut","shakra","ekona-panchashat","chidra","indra"],"quick_summary":"Indra finds a ‘chidra’ (opening) and transforms the divided divine portions into Maruts—forty-nine radiant companions of Śakra—fixing their number and function in the pantheon."}
Weapon Type: Spear/bolt (Maruts commonly armed; Indra’s vajra implied)
Concept: From division/rupture arises a new class of devas; ‘chidra’ as a principle of change and outcome.
Application: Use in theological enumeration (devatā-saṅkhyā) and as a strategic metaphor: outcomes hinge on locating the critical weak point.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Narratives (Deva-Asura conflicts; Indra and the Maruts)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant host of forty-nine Maruts manifests, surrounding Indra as brilliant allies—stormy sky, dynamic movement, weapons raised, divine luminosity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Indra central with vajra, surrounded by a ring of youthful Maruts in synchronized poses, swirling cloud motifs, lightning patterns, bright reds/greens/yellows, rhythmic repetition to suggest ‘49’.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Indra seated/standing with gold halo, Maruts as smaller attendant figures in a semicircle, heavy gold embossing on crowns and weapons, cloud-and-lightning backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, orderly retinue depiction: Indra with clearly countable Marut attendants (suggested through grouped clusters), fine linework, soft storm-cloud wash, emphasis on iconographic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic sky with layered clouds, Indra and a troop of Maruts in motion, detailed armor and textiles, lightning rendered with fine gold, sense of wind and speed."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: छिद्रमन्विष्य = छिद्रम् अन्विष्य; चेन्द्रस्तु = च इन्द्रः तु; मरुतोऽभवन् = मरुतः अभवन्; शक्रस्यैकोनपञ्चाशत्सहायाः = शक्रस्य एकोन-पञ्चाशत् सहायाः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 19.19-20 (Diti episode leading to Maruts)
FAQs
This verse primarily conveys Purāṇic classificatory knowledge: it identifies the Maruts as a defined celestial group and specifies their number (forty-nine) as Śakra’s allies, useful for traditional enumeration in recitation and Purāṇic cosmology.
By preserving precise groupings and numbers of deities (here, the Marut-gaṇa as forty-nine companions of Indra), the Agni Purāṇa functions as a reference compendium for Purāṇic cosmology, divine hierarchies, and mythic-ritual memory.
Remembering and reciting accurate Purāṇic accounts of the devas is traditionally held to strengthen śraddhā (faith) and align the mind with dharma and cosmic order, with merit arising from attentive listening (śravaṇa) and remembrance (smaraṇa).