Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

सिंहस्थाने स्थिते सिंहे जयो मित्रसमागमः / कौलेयके सिंहगते स्त्रीचिन्ता ग्रामलाभकम्

Transliteration

siṃhasthāne sthite siṃhe jayo mitrasamāgamaḥ / kauleyake siṃhagate strīcintā grāmalābhakam

Translation

Sieht man den Löwen an seinem eigenen, angemessenen Ort, so bedeutet dies Sieg und das Zusammentreffen mit Freunden. Sieht man jedoch einen Hund sich wie ein Löwe bewegen, so kündet dies Sorge um eine Frau und den Gewinn eines Dorfes oder einer Siedlung an.

Word by Word

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

• स्थिते: (being) present
• स्थिते: Kriya (Participial predicate/क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु) → स्थित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘सति’ अर्थे (locative absolute)

• सिंहे: when/where a lion (is)
• सिंहे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative absolute with ‘स्थिते’)

• जयः: victory
• जयः: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; फलवाचक

• मित्रसमागमः: meeting with friends
• मित्रसमागमः: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मित्र-समागम (प्रातिपदिक; मित्र + समागम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; फलवाचक

• कौलेयके: when/where a dog (is)
• कौलेयके: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौलेयक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative absolute context)

• सिंहगते: having gone to/approached the lion
• सिंहगते: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिंह-गत (प्रातिपदिक; सिंह + गत)
• Form: गत (क्त-कृदन्त) विशेषण; सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘कौलेयके’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम् (lion-going/approaching)

• स्त्रीचिन्ता: worry about a woman
• स्त्रीचिन्ता: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री-चिन्ता (प्रातिपदिक; स्त्री + चिन्ता)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; फलवाचक

• ग्रामलाभकम्: gain of a village
• ग्रामलाभकम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राम-लाभक (प्रातिपदिक; ग्राम + लाभक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; फलवाचक

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Svadharma and propriety: harmony when beings act in their nature; distortion/mimicry indicates mixed fruits and mental agitation.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-vyatyaya (confusion of qualities) produces saṃsāric anxiety; steadiness (sattva) supports clear outcomes.

Application: Value authenticity and proper roles; when faced with pretenders or role-confusion, proceed carefully in relationships and negotiations.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: natural habitat / symbolic rightful station; plus behavioral locus (dog ‘in lion-gait’)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (Siṃha-sthāna omens; animal behavior as nimitta)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse shows nimitta as a practical diagnostic tool: specific animal appearances and behaviors are linked to likely outcomes such as victory, reunion with friends, or domestic concerns, guiding one’s caution and preparedness.

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

This specific verse is not about the soul’s post-death journey; it belongs to the Garuda Purana’s nimitta (omens) material, focusing on worldly indicators and their predicted results rather than preta-yatra or Yama’s realm.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a traditional reflection tool: when unusual events create anxiety or confidence, respond with steadiness—avoid rash decisions, strengthen friendships, and address household concerns responsibly.