Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने वृषं दृष्ट्वा स्थानभ्रंशभयादिकम् / ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने खरं दृष्ट्वा धननाशपराजयौ

Transliteration

dhvāṅkṣasthāne vṛṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā sthānabhraṃśabhayādikam / dhvāṅkṣasthāne kharaṃ dṛṣṭvā dhananāśaparājayau

Translation

Am Ort der Krähe bedeutet das Sehen eines Stieres Furcht, etwa den Verlust der Stellung und Ähnliches. Am Ort der Krähe bedeutet das Sehen eines Esels Verlust von Reichtum und Niederlage.

Word by Word

• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: in the crow’s place
• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वाङ्क्ष-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

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

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verbal/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive)

• स्थानभ्रंशभयादिकम्: loss of position, fear, etc.
• स्थानभ्रंशभयादिकम्: Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान + भ्रंश + भय + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; स्थानभ्रंशः, भयम् इत्यादि (समाहारार्थ)

• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: in the crow’s place
• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वाङ्क्ष-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

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

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verbal/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive)

• धननाशपराजयौ: loss of wealth and defeat
• धननाशपराजयौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन + नाश + पराजय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (two items)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra in an omens-and-results section)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Portents indicate vulnerability in artha and position; heed warnings to avoid overreach and prevent downfall.

Vedantic Theme: Artha and status are impermanent; attachment breeds fear—practice aparigraha and steadiness.

Application: Avoid risky speculation, strengthen alliances, maintain ethical conduct to protect reputation, and prepare contingencies against loss.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: omen-locus within settlement/estate

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (śakuna outcomes: bull/donkey in crow-locus)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse treats unusual sights as nimittas that indicate likely outcomes—such as loss of position, fear, wealth-loss, or defeat—encouraging vigilance and dharmic corrective action.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes karma-linked signals in worldly life; such warnings are meant to help a person avoid harmful actions and stabilize dharma, which in turn supports a better post-death trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat sudden negative patterns as prompts to review conduct, finances, and decisions; strengthen ethical discipline, avoid risky commitments, and adopt protective practices like prayer, charity, and restraint.