Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 24
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
प्रतिलोमास् तथा राम खरश् च विकृत्रस्वनः वामः कपिञ्जलः श्रेष्ठस् तथा दक्षिणसंस्थितः
pratilomās tathā rāma kharaś ca vikṛtrasvanaḥ vāmaḥ kapiñjalaḥ śreṣṭhas tathā dakṣiṇasaṃsthitaḥ
Likewise, O Rāma, the omen called Pratiloma, and also Khara whose cry is harsh and distorted, are to be taken as left-sided omens; but Kapiñjala is the best omen when positioned on the right side.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Directional omen-reading: classify specific birds/creatures by left/right placement and by quality of sound to judge auspiciousness during travel or undertakings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vāma-dakṣiṇa-śakuna classification: pratiloma/khara and kapiñjala","lookup_keywords":["vāma-śakuna","dakṣiṇa-śakuna","pratiloma","khara-vikṛta-svana","kapiñjala"],"quick_summary":"Certain omens are assigned to the left side (including harsh/distorted cries), while the kapiñjala on the right is declared especially auspicious."}
Concept: Meaning is derived from position (vāma/dakṣiṇa) and sound-quality (svana) within nimitta-śāstra.
Application: When an omen appears, note side and vocal quality; treat right-positioned kapiñjala as favorable, and harsh/distorted cries as left-class indicators.
Khanda Section: Jyotiṣa / Śakuna-śāstra (Omenology and directional augury)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler stands between left and right markers; on the left appear pratiloma/khara with harsh cries, while on the right a kapiñjala bird perches serenely, indicating auspiciousness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical composition with left/right panels, harsh-cry bird on left with jagged sound motifs, kapiñjala on right with smooth sound motifs, traveler centered, bold flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure with gold halo-like ornamentation, right-side kapiñjala rendered richly, left-side ominous bird with darker tones, gold borders and decorative motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram aesthetic: labeled left/right, fine lines, gentle colors, emphasis on posture and placement of birds relative to traveler.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic birds perched on branches to left and right of a path, traveler observing, delicate foliage, subtle depiction of sound through gesture and attention."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pratilomās = pratilomāḥ (visarga sandhi); kharaś ca = kharaḥ + ca; śreṣṭhas = śreṣṭhaḥ (visarga sandhi); dakṣiṇasaṃsthitaḥ = dakṣiṇa + saṃsthitaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 230 (directional augury rules)
FAQs
Śakuna-vidyā: it classifies specific omen-names by whether their appearance/cry on the left (vāma) or right (dakṣiṇa) side is to be read as favorable or unfavorable, highlighting Kapiñjala as especially auspicious on the right.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical applied knowledge—here, omenology used in travel, decisions, and timing—showing its coverage of Jyotiṣa-related disciplines like śakuna (augury) alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts.
Interpreting signs is framed as aligning action with dharma and cosmic order: heeding auspicious indications (e.g., right-sided Kapiñjala) supports right timing and reduces avoidable harm, thereby aiding merit-preserving conduct.