Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
अध्याय १६२ — धर्मशास्त्रकथनम्
Dharmaśāstra Exposition: Authorities, Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti, Upākarman, and Anadhyāya Rules
कृतेन्तरे त्वहोरात्रं शक्रपाते तथोच्छ्रिये श्वक्रोष्टुगर्धभोलूकमासवाणर्तुनिस्वने
kṛtentare tvahorātraṃ śakrapāte tathocchriye śvakroṣṭugardhabholūkamāsavāṇartunisvane
In der Zeit, da der Tod herannaht, bei Tag und Nacht—wenn Indras Regen fällt und zugleich eine ungewöhnliche Erschütterung eintritt—und wenn unheilvolle Laute erklingen, wie das Heulen der Hunde, der Ruf der Schakale, das Iahen der Esel, das Rufen der Eulen sowie unzeitige Geräusche der Monate, der Winde und der Jahreszeiten, so sind diese als böse Vorzeichen zu erkennen.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Use nimitta (omens) and unusual meteorological/animal sounds as warning signs during critical periods (especially near death/major crisis) to intensify protective rites, restraint, and vigilance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ariṣṭa-nimitta: inauspicious sounds and abnormal weather as portents","lookup_keywords":["arishta nimitta","shakra pata","uluka shvana kroshtru","untimely seasonal sounds"],"quick_summary":"Abnormal rains/upheavals and inauspicious animal cries—especially occurring day and night in a critical interval—are classified as ominous portents (ariṣṭa) prompting caution and remedial observances."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: reading anomalous natural signs as indicators of impending adversity (ariṣṭa).
Application: When clusters of such signs occur, avoid new undertakings, increase japa/homa/śānti, and seek counsel of elders/ritviks per family tradition.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Nimitta-shastra (omens and time-signs)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stormy landscape with Indra’s rain, strange upheaval, and a chorus of ominous animal cries—dogs howling, jackals calling, donkeys braying, owls hooting—under a darkened sky.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic night scene with stylized clouds and rain, animals in profile emitting sound-lines, ominous palette with deep reds/greens, symbolic Indra-rain motif","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central storm cloud with gold highlights, animals arranged symmetrically as omen-icons, ornate border, high contrast and devotional-symbolic rendering","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional ‘nimitta’ tableau with labeled animals and weather signs, clean composition, soft washes, manuscript aesthetics","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic storm over a village edge, detailed fauna (dog, jackal, donkey, owl), fine rain strokes, atmospheric perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कृतेन्तरे = कृते + अन्तरे; त्वहोरात्रं = तु + अहोरात्रम्; तथोच्छ्रिये = तथा + उच्छ्रिये; final compound is a long multi-member samāsa ending in निस्वने (locative).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 162 (nimitta and avoidance conditions)
FAQs
It imparts nimitta-jñāna (omen-reading): identifying inauspicious auditory and atmospheric signs—animal cries and untimely seasonal/wind sounds—especially as indicators of danger or impending death.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical Jyotiṣa/Nimitta material—rules for interpreting natural phenomena (storms, disturbances, animal calls) as prognostic signs—showing the Purana’s wide coverage of applied knowledge.
Recognizing such portents is meant to prompt vigilance, restraint, and remedial religious action (prāyaścitta, japa, charity), thereby reducing harm and preparing the mind for dharmic response in times of peril.