Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 12
Utpāta-śānti
Pacification of Portents
ग्रहर्क्षवैकृतं दिव्यमान्तरीक्षन्निबोध मे उल्कापातश् च दिग्दाहः परिवेशस्तथैव च
graharkṣavaikṛtaṃ divyamāntarīkṣannibodha me ulkāpātaś ca digdāhaḥ pariveśastathaiva ca
গ্রহ ও নক্ষত্রের বিকার থেকে উৎপন্ন দিব্য ও অন্তরীক্ষ লক্ষণ আমার কাছ থেকে জানো—উল্কাপাত, দিগ্দাহ (দিকের লালাভ দহন), এবং পরিবেষ (হ্যালো) প্রকাশ।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Identifying celestial/atmospheric omens—planet-star anomalies, meteors, directional sky-glow, halos—to forecast disturbances and trigger śānti measures.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Divya–Āntarīkṣa Utpāta: Graha/Nakṣatra vikṛti, Ulkāpāta, Digdāha, Pariveśa","lookup_keywords":["graha-vikṛti","nakṣatra-vikṛti","ulkāpāta","digdāha","pariveśa"],"quick_summary":"Celestial and atmospheric portents include abnormal behavior/appearance of planets and stars, meteors, reddening/burning of directions, and halos—signals used in nimitta-judgment."}
Concept: Macrocosmic irregularities are treated as meaningful indicators; observation (lakṣaṇa) precedes ritual response (śānti).
Application: Maintain watch for meteors/halos/directional glow and record timing; consult jyotiṣa/nimitta rules to decide expiatory offerings and public precautions.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Nimitta-shastra (Astral Omens and Celestial Portents)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Sky/Atmosphere
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Night sky with distorted planets and stars; a meteor streaks downward; the horizon shows a red glow in one direction; a bright halo encircles the moon/sun while observers point upward.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic night sky with stylized planets, a flaming meteor, red directional blaze, circular halo around moon; villagers and a sage observing, strong contours and saturated colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central moon with embossed gold halo (pariveśa), meteor rendered with gold streak, directional red glow at edges, ornate border and rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional astronomical tableau: labeled grahas, nakṣatra field, meteor trajectory, halo geometry; fine brushwork and soft gradients","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, terrace observatory scene with astronomers, astrolabe-like instruments, meteor in sky, halo around moon, delicate night-blue wash and precise detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"awe-struck","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दिव्यमान्तरीक्षन्निबोध → दिव्यम् + आन्तरीक्षम् + निबोध; उल्कापातश् → उल्कापातः; परिवेशस्तथैव → परिवेशः + तथा + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 262 (divya/āntarīkṣa utpāta enumeration continues)
FAQs
Nimitta-vidyā (omenology) within Jyotiṣa: it lists key celestial/atmospheric indicators—meteor-fall (ulkāpāta), directional sky-glow/burning (digdāha), and halos (pariveśa)—as categories of portents to be interpreted.
By cataloging observational sky-phenomena used for prognosis (public welfare, kingship, seasonal and social forecasting), it shows the Purana compiling practical sciences alongside theology—integrating astronomy, meteorology-like observations, and divinatory interpretation.
Recognizing such portents is framed as dharmic vigilance: timely awareness enables remedial rites (śānti-karma) and ethical preparedness, aiming to reduce collective harm and restore auspiciousness through right action.