Shloka 10

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

Devanagari script

धूम्रस्थाने वृषं दृष्ट्वा नारीगो ऽश्वधनादिकम् / धूम्रस्थाने खरं दृष्ट्वा व्याधिश्चापि धनक्षयः

Transliteration

dhūmrasthāne vṛṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā nārīgo 'śvadhanādikam / dhūmrasthāne kharaṃ dṛṣṭvā vyādhiścāpi dhanakṣayaḥ

Translation

Einen Stier an einem rauchigen Ort zu sehen kündet den Gewinn einer Frau, von Kühen, Pferden, Vermögen und dergleichen an. Einen Esel an einem rauchigen Ort zu sehen kündet hingegen Krankheit und auch Verlust an Vermögen an.

Word by Word

• धूम्रस्थाने: in the smoke-position/place
• धूम्रस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक; धूम्र + स्थान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• वृषम्: a bull
• वृषम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म

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

• नारी: woman; wife
• नारी: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समाहारसूची (list item within compound-like enumeration)

• गो: cow
• गो: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (प्रायः), प्रथमा, एकवचन; समाहारसूची

• अश्वधनादिकम्: horses, wealth, etc.
• अश्वधनादिकम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व-धन-आदिक (प्रातिपदिक; अश्व + धन + आदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय

• धूम्रस्थाने: in the smoke-position/place
• धूम्रस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक; धूम्र + स्थान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• खरम्: a donkey
• खरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म

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

• व्याधिः: disease
• व्याधिः: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्याधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle: also/even)

• धनक्षयः: loss of wealth
• धनक्षयः: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन-क्षय (प्रातिपदिक; धन + क्षय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nimittas forecast both artha (wealth) and deha (health) outcomes; prosperity and disease are karmically conditioned and require right response.

Vedantic Theme: Body and possessions are impermanent; wise stewardship and inner detachment reduce suffering when vyādhi/kṣaya arise.

Application: When signs are auspicious, invest responsibly and support dependents; when signs warn of illness/loss, prioritize health, reduce risk, and perform dharmic remedies (charity, prayer, restraint).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/ritual zone near fire or obscured threshold; codified omen-station

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (dhūmra-sthāna: vṛṣa vs. khara outcomes; vyādhi and dhana-kṣaya)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of omens (nimitta) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats visible signs as indicators of likely outcomes—bull as auspicious for gains, donkey as inauspicious for disease and financial loss—guiding caution and preparedness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

While not directly describing the soul’s journey, it reflects the Purana’s broader method of linking present perceptions and conduct with future results, reinforcing the cause-and-effect worldview underlying karma and post-death teachings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to stay alert to warning signs: when circumstances feel “smoky” or unclear, avoid risky decisions, prioritize health, and act prudently with finances.