Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

गजस्थाने ध्वजं दृष्ट्वा स्त्रीजयश्रीसुखादिकम् / गजस्थानेस्थिते धूम्रे धनधान्यसमागमः

Transliteration

gajasthāne dhvajaṃ dṛṣṭvā strījayaśrīsukhādikam / gajasthānesthite dhūmre dhanadhānyasamāgamaḥ

Translation

في موضع الفيل، إن شوهد لواءٌ فذلك يُقال إنه يجلب صحبةَ المرأة، والنصر، والبركةَ والرخاءَ واللذّات. وإن شوهد دخانٌ رماديٌّ يلازم جهةَ الفيل، دلّ على اجتماع المال والحبوب.

Word by Word

• गजस्थाने: in the elephant-place/sign
• गजस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गजस्य स्थानम्)

• ध्वजम्: a flag/banner
• ध्वजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verbal action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त

• स्त्रीजयश्रीसुखादिकम्: women, victory, prosperity, happiness, etc.
• स्त्रीजयश्रीसुखादिकम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री-जय-श्री-सुख-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (स्त्री च जयः च श्रीः च सुखं च आदि च)

• गजस्थाने: in the elephant-place/sign
• गजस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• स्थिते: when (it) is situated
• स्थिते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP), सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘स्थिते (सति)’ locative absolute

• धूम्रे: in/when there is a grey one (smoke-colored creature)
• धूम्रे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘धूम्रे’ = (धूम्रः/धूम्रवर्णः प्राणी) locative absolute with स्थिते

• धनधान्यसमागमः: acquisition/meeting of wealth and grain
• धनधान्यसमागमः: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन-धान्य-समागम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः (धनं च धान्यं च) + समागमः; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वपूर्वक तत्पुरुषभावः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śrī and success arise when auspicious indicators align; prosperity is to be used in dharmic enjoyment and generosity.

Vedantic Theme: Artha-kāma under dharma; recognition that prosperity is a contingent fruit, not the ultimate end.

Application: When fortune increases, practice gratitude, share wealth, and maintain ethical conduct to stabilize gains.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: omenic positional locus (gajasthāna)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199.29-30 (continued gajasthāna omens)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of omen-reading in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that the text links observable signs (like a flag or smoke in a specific quarter) with likely outcomes, guiding householders toward practical, dharmic planning and caution.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not describe the soul’s post-death journey here; instead, it belongs to the Ācāra (conduct/observances) material where worldly signs are interpreted for results such as prosperity and success.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat ‘omens’ as prompts for mindfulness: when signs suggest opportunity (prosperity/victory), proceed with disciplined effort and ethical conduct, and avoid superstition-driven decisions.