Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 31
Utpāta-śānti
Pacification of Portents
केतूदयोपरागौ च छिद्रता शशिसूर्ययोः ग्रहर्क्षविकृतिर्यत्र तत्रापि भयमादिशेत्
ketūdayoparāgau ca chidratā śaśisūryayoḥ graharkṣavikṛtiryatra tatrāpi bhayamādiśet
Wherever there occur a rising of a comet, an eclipse, a blemish as if ‘pierced’ in the Moon or the Sun, or any abnormal change in planets and constellations—there too one should predict and proclaim fear and danger.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Astrologers and court prognosticators interpret comets, eclipses, and planetary/stellar anomalies to issue public warnings, advise rulers, and prescribe śānti measures.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Utpāta from celestial phenomena: comet, eclipse, solar/lunar blemish, planetary/stellar distortion","lookup_keywords":["ketu-udaya","uparāga","śaśi-sūrya-chidrata","graha-vikṛti","nakṣatra-vikṛti"],"quick_summary":"Comet-rise, eclipses, abnormal marks in Sun/Moon, and distortions in planets or constellations are collectively treated as fear-inducing portents requiring caution and pacification."}
Concept: Nimitta-reading (utpāta-lakṣaṇa) as applied jyotiḥśāstra: correlate sky-phenomena with terrestrial risk.
Application: When such signs appear, increase restraint, charity, protective rites, and avoid major ventures (war, coronations, journeys) until śānti is done.
Khanda Section: Jyotiḥśāstra (Nimitta-śāstra / Utpāta-lakṣaṇa: omens from celestial phenomena)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Night sky with a bright comet rising, an eclipse shadowing Sun or Moon, and distorted planets/constellations; below, a court astrologer warns of impending danger.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic celestial dome with ketu blazing, eclipsed sun/moon, stylized grahas and nakṣatras in disorder, astrologer and king below, high-contrast flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central eclipsed sun/moon with gold halo work, comet streak in gold, grahas arranged but visibly disturbed, small royal figures receiving counsel, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional jyotiṣa tableau: labeled grahas/nakṣatras, comet and eclipse depicted clearly, calm but serious astrologer explaining to attendants, fine shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, observatory terrace with instruments, scholars pointing to comet and eclipse, detailed starfield, subtle gradients, narrative of warning and record-keeping"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"grave","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ग्रहर्क्षविकृतिर्यत्र = ग्रह-ऋक्ष-विकृतिः + यत्र (visarga + y); तत्रापि = तत्र + अपि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 262 (utpāta-lakṣaṇa); Agni Purana 262.33 (śānti methods); Agni Purana 263.1 (utpāta-mardana)
FAQs
It imparts nimitta-jñāna (omen-science) within Jyotiḥśāstra: celestial anomalies—comet appearances, eclipses, and distortions in luminaries/planets/nakṣatras—are to be treated as indicators of impending danger and publicly interpreted as such.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana compiles applied knowledge systems; here it preserves a practical prognostic framework from classical Indian omen-literature (nimitta/utpāta), integrating astronomy-astrology, public advisories, and state/community risk-signs into a Purāṇic compendium.
By recognizing such portents and warning of danger, one is prompted toward remedial piety (śānti, dāna, vrata) and vigilance; the verse frames cosmic irregularities as moral-spiritual signals that should lead to precaution and pacificatory action.