Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 28
Chapter 228 — स्वप्नाध्यायः
Svapnādhāyaḥ / Chapter on Dreams
चन्द्राद् भ्रष्टेन वा राम ज्ञेयं राज्यप्रदं हि तत् राज्याभिषेकश् च तथा छेदनं शिरसो ऽप्यथ
candrād bhraṣṭena vā rāma jñeyaṃ rājyapradaṃ hi tat rājyābhiṣekaś ca tathā chedanaṃ śiraso 'pyatha
O Rāma, even when (an omen is) fallen away from the Moon, it should be understood as bestowing kingship; likewise it signifies royal consecration (rājābhiṣeka)—and thereafter also the cutting off of the head.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha; addressing Rāma within the cited material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Interpreting lunar omens as indicators of political outcomes (kingship, royal consecration) and severe danger (beheading), useful for court astrologers and omen-readers advising rulers.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Chandra-nimitta: Rajya-prada and Śiras-cheda-phala","lookup_keywords":["moon omen","chandra bhrashta","rajya-prada","rajyabhisheka","shiras cheda"],"quick_summary":"A particular lunar anomaly/omen is read as granting kingship and indicating royal consecration, yet it can also portend capital punishment (beheading), showing mixed or sequential outcomes in śakuna interpretation."}
Concept: Nimitta-jnana as a pragmatic knowledge-system for governance: celestial signs are mapped to statecraft outcomes and personal peril.
Application: In a rajasabha context, treat ominous lunar anomalies as triggers for protective rites (śānti), heightened security, and cautious political decisions, even if auspicious gains are predicted.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Omens, and Royal Consecration)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night sky with a disturbed or ‘fallen’ lunar sign observed by court astrologers; below, a king’s consecration scene juxtaposed with a grim execution symbol (sword and severed head motif) to convey mixed omen results.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic moon with unusual mark, astrologer pointing with palm-leaf chart, palace consecration with lamps and parasol, symbolic dark corner showing execution emblem, strong contrasts and ritual motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: king seated under ornate arch with gold leaf, priests preparing rajyabhisheka vessels, above them a stylized moon with anomaly, side panel icon-like symbol of justice/execution, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clear narrative panels—(1) astrologer reading lunar omen, (2) rajyabhisheka with kalasha and crown, (3) warning panel with execution symbol—fine lines, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court terrace at night, astronomer with astrolabe observing the moon, coronation ceremony in the hall, subtle ominous vignette of punishment in background, intricate textiles and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: candrād = candrāt (त्→द् before voiced); शिरसो ऽपि→शिरसः + अपि; राज्याभिषेकश् च→राज्याभिषेकः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Jyotiṣa/śakuna chapters on graha-nimitta and rājyaphala; Agni Purana rājyābhiṣeka/raja-dharma discussions
FAQs
It gives phala-nirdeśa (result-statements) for a lunar-related omen: a phenomenon described as “fallen from the Moon” is interpreted as indicating attainment of kingship and royal consecration, while also warning of the possibility of beheading.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft material—royal portents, coronation indicators, and adverse outcomes—blending rajadharma with omenology akin to Jyotiḥśāstra/nimitta traditions.
The verse frames sovereignty and downfall as karmically conditioned outcomes signaled through omens—encouraging rulers to pursue dharma and corrective rites when ominous signs suggest danger.