Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 28
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
क्रीडन् वैकः कपोतैश् च सारिकाभिर्मृतिं वदेत् साश्रुनेत्रो जिह्वया च पादलेही विनष्टये
krīḍan vaikaḥ kapotaiś ca sārikābhirmṛtiṃ vadet sāśrunetro jihvayā ca pādalehī vinaṣṭaye
إذا شوهد طائر منفرد يلهو مع الحمام ومع طيور المينا (ساريكا)، قيل إنه ينذر بالموت. وكذلك من كانت عيناه دامعتين، ومن يلعق القدمين بلسانه، فهما أيضًا من دلائل الهلاك.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Shakuna/nimitta reading: interpreting unusual animal behavior and abnormal human signs (tearful eyes, tongue-to-foot licking) as prognostics for death/ruin.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nimitta: Bird-omens and human physiognomic portents of death/ruin","lookup_keywords":["nimitta","shakuna","kapota","sarika","sashru-netra"],"quick_summary":"Unnatural bird associations and certain abnormal human behaviors are read as ominous signs—some indicating death, others indicating ruin—used for decision-making and precaution."}
Concept: Reading anomalies in nature and body as actionable warnings (nimitta).
Application: Delay risky ventures, increase vigilance, perform protective rites if customary, and prioritize safety/medical attention when such signs appear.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-Śāstra (Omens and Physiognomy)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solitary bird oddly plays among pigeons and mynas; nearby, a person with tear-filled eyes and another performing an unnatural tongue-to-foot licking gesture—interpreted as omens.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized birds (pigeons, mynas) in a courtyard tree, one lone bird among them, human figures with tearful eyes, symbolic inauspicious motifs, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents on foliage and ornaments, birds clustered on a branch, central solitary bird highlighted, human figures below with expressive eyes, ritual-omen atmosphere.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise naturalistic birds, clear didactic composition showing the bird-omen and two human portents, soft colors, fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, highly detailed birds on a garden branch, observers pointing, a tearful-eyed figure, another in strange posture, refined architecture backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ominous","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sārikābhirmṛtiṃ → sārikābhiḥ mṛtim; sāśrunetro → sa-aśru-netraḥ; pādalehī is treated as pāda-lehī (upapada-tatpuruṣa with kridanta).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Nimitta/physiognomy)
FAQs
It teaches nimitta-śāstra (omenology): specific bird-behavior (a solitary bird sporting with pigeons and mynas) and specific human signs (tearful eyes; foot-licking) are classified as inauspicious prognostics indicating death or ruin.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogues applied knowledge such as śakuna (omens), blending observation of animals and bodily cues into a practical prognostic manual—one of many domains (like polity, medicine, and poetics) that make it encyclopedic.
By recognizing inauspicious signs early, one is prompted to adopt remedial conduct—heightened vigilance, restraint, prayer, charity, and expiatory rites—thereby mitigating harm and aligning actions with dharma to reduce negative outcomes.