Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
प्रयातस्याग्रतो राम मृगः प्राणहरो भवेत् ऋक्षाखुजम्बुकव्याघ्रसिंहमार्जारगर्दभाः
prayātasyāgrato rāma mṛgaḥ prāṇaharo bhavet ṛkṣākhujambukavyāghrasiṃhamārjāragardabhāḥ
يا راما، إذا ظهر حيوانٌ أمام المسافر عند شروعه في المسير كأنه يصدّ الطريق، كان ذلك فألًا قد يفضي إلى هلاك النفس؛ ومن هذه المخلوقات: الدبّ، والفأر، وابن آوى، والنمر، والأسد، والقطّ، والحمار.
Lord Agni (in instruction addressed to Rāma, within the chapter’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Pre-departure risk screening: if certain animals block the path ahead, treat it as a danger-sign and avoid proceeding or perform protective measures.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Prayāṇa-āvaraṇa-śakuna: life-threatening animals seen in front","lookup_keywords":["prayāṇa","agrataḥ-mṛga","prāṇahara-śakuna","ṛkṣa-jambuka-vyāghra","mārjāra-gardabha"],"quick_summary":"When setting out, an animal appearing directly in front is read as a potentially life-threatening omen; a list of especially ominous creatures is given."}
Concept: Heed portents at liminal moments (departure) to protect life (prāṇa-rakṣaṇa) and avoid reckless action.
Application: Postpone travel, change route, increase escort/security, or undertake protective rites when such blocking-omens occur.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-śāstra (Omens and prognostics for travel and conduct)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler begins a journey; directly ahead on the road stand ominous animals—bear, mouse, jackal, tiger, lion, cat, donkey—forming a symbolic blockade while the traveler halts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal procession halted at a gateway, stylized animals aligned across the path, strong outlines, symbolic gestures of stopping, earthy reds/ochres/greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents on the traveler’s ornaments and vehicle, animals arranged as an emblematic frieze blocking the road, ornate border, devotional-instructional mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: road centerline, animals labeled by placement (agrataḥ), traveler shown pausing, fine shading and delicate ornamentation.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic animals on a dusty road, traveler with attendants reining in, detailed landscape and textiles, subtle tension in posture and gaze."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prayātasyāgrato = prayātasya + agrataḥ; prāṇaharo = prāṇa + haraḥ; long dvandva compound: ṛkṣākhujambukavyāghrasiṃhamārjāragardabhāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 230 (yātrā-nimitta lists and directional rules)
FAQs
It teaches yātrā-nimitta (travel prognostics): seeing certain animals directly in front at the moment of departure is classified as a dangerous/inauspicious sign, advising caution or postponement.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge like nimitta-śāstra—practical decision-making tools (omens, timing, risk-signs) used in daily life such as travel and public activity.
Observing omens is framed as aligning one’s actions with dharma and cosmic order (ṛta); heeding warnings helps avoid harm and the negative karmic consequences of reckless action.