Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 3
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
छायाङ्गवाहनोपानच्छत्रवस्त्रादिकुट्टने मृत्युस्तत्पूजने पूजा तदिष्टकरणे शुभं
chāyāṅgavāhanopānacchatravastrādikuṭṭane mṛtyustatpūjane pūjā tadiṣṭakaraṇe śubhaṃ
من ضرب أو أتلف (غضبًا أو ازدراءً) ظلًّا أو عضوًا أو مركبةً أو نعلًا أو مظلّةً أو ثوبًا وما شابه ذلك، فذلك نذيرُ موت؛ أمّا تقديم العبادة لتلك الأشياء (أو للقوى الإلهية القائمة عليها) فيُثمر ثواب العبادة، وتحقّق المراد يكون ميمونًا.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guide daily conduct: avoid contemptuous damage to symbolic/protective items; if harmed, perform propitiation/worship to avert inauspicious results and secure desired outcomes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kuttana (damage) of personal supports as mṛtyu-nimitta; pūjā as prāyaścitta-nimitta","lookup_keywords":["chaya","upana","chatra","vastra","mrityu nimitta"],"quick_summary":"Harming shadow/limb/vehicle/footwear/umbrella/clothing is read as a death-omen; conversely, worship/propitiation connected to these brings worship-fruit and supports success of one’s aims."}
Concept: Aśubha arises from disrespect and disorder; śubha is restored through reverence (pūjā) and right intention.
Application: When an inauspicious act occurs, respond with corrective ritual/ethical repair rather than fatalism.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha (Shakuna/Nimitta) – Auspicious and Inauspicious Omens
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A person angrily strikes an umbrella/footwear/clothing or gestures at a shadow; elders stop him and arrange a small worship with lamps and flowers to neutralize the omen.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic courtyard scene, broken umbrella and scattered cloth, elders performing a small pūjā with lamp and flowers, strong outlines, symbolic objects clearly depicted","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central worship setup with gold-leaf lamp and plate of flowers, damaged umbrella and sandals shown as narrative elements, rich decorative borders, auspicious restoration mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional sequence: (1) damage act, (2) immediate pūjā/propitiation, (3) calm resolution; fine lines, labeled objects, gentle palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with textiles, a torn garment and overturned parasol, a small ritual with incense and lamp, nuanced expressions, detailed objects"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: upānacchatra = upāna+chatra; vastrādi = vastra+ādi; tatpūjane = tat-pūjane; tadiṣṭakaraṇe = tad-iṣṭa-karaṇe.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (auspicious/inauspicious nimittas and remedies)
FAQs
It teaches nimitta-vidyā (omenology): certain acts like striking/damaging symbolic personal supports (shadow, body, conveyance, footwear, umbrella, clothes) are read as death-portents, while prescribed worship (pūjā) functions as a remedial/propitiatory measure leading to auspicious fulfillment of aims.
It shows the Purana’s practical cataloging of applied knowledge beyond mythology—here, jyotiṣa-nimitta (omens), everyday behavioral taboos, and ritual remedies—integrating social conduct, divination, and pūjā into a usable handbook.
The verse frames disrespectful, harmful action (even toward symbolic extensions of self and status) as generating severe inauspicious karma, while pūjā and right action restore harmony, avert misfortune, and support the successful attainment of one’s intended goal.