Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
शतघ्नचटकश्यामचासश्येनकलिञ्जलाः तित्तिरः शतपत्रञ्च कपोतश् च तथा त्रयः
śataghnacaṭakaśyāmacāsaśyenakaliñjalāḥ tittiraḥ śatapatrañca kapotaś ca tathā trayaḥ
Śataghnā, Caṭaka, Śyāma, Cāsa, Śyena, and Kaliñjala are mentioned; also Tittira, Śatapatra, and likewise three kinds of Kapota (pigeons/doves).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s dominant narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Field identification and cataloging of birds (ornithological listing) used as a base for śakuna interpretation, seasonal observation, and practical recognition in travel and rural life.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Bird Catalogue: Śataghnā–Caṭaka–Śyāma–Cāsa–Śyena–Kaliñjala etc.","lookup_keywords":["caṭaka","śyena","kaliñjala","tittira","kapota"],"quick_summary":"A compact list of bird-types, including multiple kinds of kapota, serving as a reference set for recognition and subsequent omen/behavioral rules."}
Khanda Section: Prakriti-Vijnana (Zoology/Ornithology in the encyclopedic listings)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A naturalist-style register of birds: small vignettes of each named bird perched or in flight, with three distinct kapota varieties shown side-by-side for comparison.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural register bands; each band shows one bird type with stylized foliage; three kapota variants grouped together; bold contouring and flat tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore framed taxonomy panel; each bird in a gold-bordered cartouche; rich colors and decorative motifs; Sanskrit labels beneath each bird.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional plate; neat rows of birds with subtle shading; emphasis on distinguishing silhouettes; captions for each name and the three kapota types.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature natural history folio; highly detailed birds with botanical elements; three pigeons/doves differentiated by plumage; marginal annotations."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शतपत्रञ्च = शतपत्रम् च (म् + च → ञ्च). कपोतश् = कपोतः (विसर्ग-लोपः पदान्ते) च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 230.14–230.16 (continuation of bird/omen materials, including diurnal classification)
FAQs
It imparts nighaṇṭu-style technical nomenclature—an enumerative taxonomy of bird-names used for identification and reference in broader śāstric contexts (omens, offerings, hunting/field knowledge, and lexicography).
By cataloging specialized vocabulary (here, bird species names and varieties), the text functions as a reference compendium—preserving technical terms alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, characteristic of the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope.
Direct karmic fruit is not stated here; the significance is indirect—right knowledge (saṃjñā-jñāna) supports correct application in dharma-related practices (e.g., interpreting omens or ensuring accurate identification in prescribed contexts), thereby preventing ritual or practical error.