Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 30
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
ततः सन्दर्शनं नेष्टं प्रतीपं वानरर्क्षयोः कार्यकृद्बली शकुनः प्रस्थितस्य हि यो ऽन्वहं
tataḥ sandarśanaṃ neṣṭaṃ pratīpaṃ vānararkṣayoḥ kāryakṛdbalī śakunaḥ prasthitasya hi yo 'nvahaṃ
এরপর প্রতিকূল সাক্ষাৎ কাম্য নয়—যেমন বিপরীত মুখে সামনে এসে বানর ও ভালুকের সঙ্গে দেখা হওয়া। কিন্তু যে ব্যক্তি কাজে বেরিয়েছে, তার ক্ষেত্রে যে বলবান ও কার্যসাধক শকুন-পক্ষী প্রতিদিন অনুসরণ করে, তা কর্মসিদ্ধিদায়ক বলে গণ্য।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s nimitta-shastra to sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Narrative-guided omen logic: avoid adverse face-to-face encounters (monkeys/bears) when setting out; value a persistent, strong omen-bird that accompanies the traveler as success-sign.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pratīpa-darśana and anuvartī śakuna (adverse encounter vs. accompanying omen-bird)","lookup_keywords":["pratīpa","vānara","ṛkṣa","anuvartī śakuna","prasthita"],"quick_summary":"Oppositional encounters are read as obstructive, while a powerful bird-omen that follows repeatedly is taken as task-accomplishing. Use this distinction to judge whether to proceed or reroute."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (contrast)
Concept: Pravṛtti with viveka: proceed with discernment—avoid obstructive signs, accept supportive guidance.
Application: If repeated adverse encounters occur, pause/alter route; if supportive signs persist, continue with steadiness.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-sankshipta (Omens and portents; narrative guidance)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler meets monkeys and bears facing him (unfavorable), while above a strong bird repeatedly follows along the path, signaling success.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, forest path with frontal monkeys and a bear blocking the way, the traveler turning slightly aside, a large bird flying overhead in repeated arcs, dramatic yet stylized forms, temple-mural palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted bird as auspicious focus, the obstructing animals rendered darker, the traveler in bright attire, ornate border with auspicious motifs indicating ‘kāryakṛt’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative sequencing in one frame: left side ‘pratīpa darśana’ with facing animals, right side ‘anuvartī śakuna’ with bird following, fine linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed woodland with animals confronting the traveler, a falcon-like bird tracking above, subtle expressions, layered landscape and calligraphic caption."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: neṣṭaṃ = na iṣṭam; vānararkṣayoḥ = vānara-ṛkṣayoḥ; yo 'nvahaṃ = yaḥ anvaham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 230 (portents connected to itihāsa exemplars)
FAQs
Nimitta-śāstra (omen-science): it classifies certain encounters as inauspicious when they appear in an adverse/contrary manner, while a strong, task-aiding bird-omen that repeatedly accompanies the traveler is treated as favorable for success.
It shows the Agni Purana’s practical coverage beyond theology—recording applied omen-lore used for decision-making in travel and ventures, alongside its many other domains (ritual, governance, medicine, warfare, poetics).
Acting with discernment about auspicious and inauspicious signs is presented as aligning one’s undertaking with dharmic order (ṛta), reducing obstacles and supporting successful completion of intended duties.