Shloka 20

Dhvaja–Dhūmra–Paśu-Ākṛti Śakuna: Interpreting Banner, Smoke, and Animal-Form Omens by Stations

Devanagari script

वृषस्थाने ध्वजं दृष्ट्वा राजपूजासुखादिकम् / वृषस्थाने स्थिते धूम्रे राजपूजासुखादिकम्

Transliteration

vṛṣasthāne dhvajaṃ dṛṣṭvā rājapūjāsukhādikam / vṛṣasthāne sthite dhūmre rājapūjāsukhādikam

Translation

رؤيةُ رايةٍ في موضع الثور (فِرِشا-سْتهانا) تدلّ على نيل إكرام الملوك والتعظيم والعبادة وما يشبه ذلك من النعيم. وكذلك إن ظهر في موضع الثور أثرٌ ذو لونٍ دخانيٍّ مستقرّ، فهو أيضًا علامةُ الإكرام الملكيّ والتبجيل ولذّة الراحة.

Word by Word

• vṛṣa-sthāne: in the bull’s place
• vṛṣa-sthāne: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + sthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī, Ekavacana; Samāsa: ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa (vṛṣasya sthānam)

• dhvajam: a flag
• dhvajam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial participle/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive (त्वान्त), pūrvakāla-kriyā

• rāja-pūjā-sukha-ādikam: royal honor, happiness, etc.
• rāja-pūjā-sukha-ādikam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक) + pūjā (प्रातिपदिक) + sukha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + ka (प्रत्यय)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; Samāsa: itaretara-dvandva with ādi-kānta (etc.) sense

• vṛṣa-sthāne: in the bull’s place
• vṛṣa-sthāne: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + sthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī, Ekavacana; Samāsa: ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa

• sthite: when (it is) situated
• sthite: Adhikaraṇa (Locative absolute/सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: PPP (क्त), Saptamī, Ekavacana; locative absolute

• dhūmre: in/when (it is) smoky/grey
• dhūmre: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhūmra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa in locative absolute

• rāja-pūjā-sukha-ādikam: royal honor, happiness, etc.
• rāja-pūjā-sukha-ādikam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक) + pūjā (प्रातिपदिक) + sukha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + ka (प्रत्यय)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; itaretara-dvandva with ādi-kānta sense

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious signs correlate with honor from authority and social recognition; use prosperity in alignment with dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Artha and sukha as legitimate aims when governed by dharma; non-attachment to honors.

Application: When fortune and recognition arise, remain humble, fulfill duties, and use gains for righteous purposes (support dependents, charity, community service).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: public/household omen-locus (associated with strength, prosperity, or a designated sign-place)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (vṛṣa-sthāna omens; dhvaja/dhūmra signs)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of Vṛṣa-sthāna signs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats Vṛṣa-sthāna as an auspicious locus: seeing a banner or even a smoky-hued sign there is interpreted as indicating royal honor, public reverence, and pleasurable prosperity.

How does this verse explain the results of seeing a dhvaja (banner) in an omen or dream context?

A dhvaja is read as a marker of authority and recognition; when seen at Vṛṣa-sthāna, it specifically points to rājapūjā—honor or worship associated with kingship or high social standing—along with सुख (comforts).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that symbols of discipline, duty, and stable conduct (often associated with the Bull) can culminate in social trust and respect—seek honor through dharma and steady ethical living rather than mere display.