Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने गजं दृष्ट्वा धनकीर्त्यादिकं भवेत् / ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने स्थिते ध्वाङ्क्षे विदेशगमनादिकम्

Transliteration

dhvāṅkṣasthāne gajaṃ dṛṣṭvā dhanakīrtyādikaṃ bhavet / dhvāṅkṣasthāne sthite dhvāṅkṣe videśagamanādikam

Translation

في موضع الغراب، إذا شوهد فيلٌ دلّ على مكاسب كالثروة والسمعة. أمّا إذا كان الغراب نفسه جاثمًا في موضع الغراب، فإنه يشير إلى أمور كالسفر إلى بلادٍ أجنبية وما يتصل بذلك من تطورات.

Word by Word

• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: in the crow’s place
• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वाङ्क्ष-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• गजम्: an elephant
• गजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

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

• धनकीर्त्यादिकम्: wealth, fame, etc.
• धनकीर्त्यादिकम्: Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन + कीर्ति + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; धनं कीर्तिः इत्यादि (समाहारार्थ)

• भवेत्: may occur/would be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: in the crow’s place
• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वाङ्क्ष-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• स्थिते: when situated
• स्थिते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; locative absolute

• ध्वाङ्क्षे: in/at a crow
• ध्वाङ्क्षे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वाङ्क्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• विदेशगमनादिकम्: going to a foreign land, etc.
• विदेशगमनादिकम्: Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदेश + गमन + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विदेशं गमनम् इति द्वितीया-तत्पुरुष (destination) + आदि

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nimittas can invert expectations; outcomes include both gain (artha/yaśas) and displacement (videśa-gamana).

Vedantic Theme: Phala is mixed and transient; success often entails change—practice non-attachment and preparedness.

Application: Use gains to build resilience; if travel is indicated, plan ethically and carefully (documents, duties to family, offerings/charity before departure).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: omen-locus/threshold-rooftop-tree-perch zone

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (śakuna: elephant/crow in crow-locus and results)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse shows that the Garuda Purana also preserves practical nimitta (omen) lore, where specific sightings (like elephant/crow in a defined ‘crow-spot’) are linked to predicted outcomes such as prosperity or travel.

How does this verse explain the result of seeing an elephant in a crow-associated place?

It treats the unexpected auspicious symbol (elephant) appearing in a crow-spot as a positive reversal, indicating gains like wealth and reputation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a traditional reminder to observe patterns and context before drawing conclusions—distinguishing an unusual, favorable sign from an ordinary occurrence, and responding with prudence rather than anxiety.