Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 37
Mantra-paribhāṣā (मन्त्रपरिभाषा) — Colophon/Closure
शुभा गीतादिशब्दाः स्युरीदृशं स्यादसिद्धये अनर्थगीरथाक्रन्दो दक्षिणे विरुतं क्षुतम्
śubhā gītādiśabdāḥ syurīdṛśaṃ syādasiddhaye anarthagīrathākrando dakṣiṇe virutaṃ kṣutam
Les sons auspicious, tels que le chant et autres, sont tenus pour favorables; toutefois un son de cette sorte peut aussi annoncer l’échec. De même, les paroles dénuées de sens, les lamentations, un cri entendu du côté droit (au sud) et l’éternuement à cet instant sont des présages de non-accomplissement.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Śakuna-parīkṣā: interpreting immediate sounds (śabda-nimitta) during travel, negotiation, worship, or undertaking a vow to judge success/failure and decide whether to proceed, pause, or repeat the act.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śabda-śakuna: Auspicious and inauspicious sounds","lookup_keywords":["śabda-śakuna","nimitta","dakṣiṇa-viruta","kṣut","anartha-gīḥ"],"quick_summary":"Singing and pleasant sounds are generally auspicious, yet in certain contexts can still indicate non-attainment; meaningless talk, wailing, right-side cries, and sneezing at the moment are treated as obstructive omens."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: reading contingent signs while acknowledging ambiguity (even ‘auspicious’ sounds may fail depending on context).
Application: Cultivate situational discernment: if obstructive sounds occur at the start, delay, purify, or re-initiate the undertaking rather than forcing it.
Khanda Section: Śakuna-śāstra (Omens and Auspicious/Inauspicious Sounds)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler or ritualist pauses as mixed sounds arise—song in the distance, then wailing and a sudden sneeze; a bird cries from the right/southern side, signaling obstruction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, temple courtyard scene with a yajamāna holding a small offering tray, attendants listening; distant singers on one side, a mourner wailing on the other; a bird perched to the right; rich earthy reds and greens, bold outlines, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure as a ritualist with halo-like arch, gold leaf highlights on vessels; symbolic motifs of conch and lamp; to the right a bird crying, a figure sneezing; ornate borders and embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau with labeled sound-omens: singer, wailer, sneezing figure, bird on right; delicate lines, soft shading, minimal background, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly traveler with companions at a crossroads; musicians faintly visible; a mourner and a sneezing attendant; a bird on the right branch; fine detailing, naturalistic foliage, muted jewel tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syur īdṛśam → syuḥ + īdṛśam; syād asiddhaye → syāt + asiddhaye; anarthagīrathākrando interpreted as anartha-gīḥ + athā + krandaḥ (orthographic sandhi/compound-like concatenation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 293 (Śakuna/Nimitta sections); Agni Purana (Svapna-phala and nimitta lists in adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches śabda-nimitta (sound-omens): how singing and other sounds, meaningless speech, wailing, right-side cries, and sneezing are read as indicators of success or failure in an intended undertaking/rite.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical śakuna-śāstra—an applied system for decision-making around rites and actions—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of everyday prognostics alongside ritual instruction.
By avoiding actions when inauspicious sound-omens arise (asiddhi-nimitta), one is advised to prevent wasted ritual effort and reduce the likelihood of fruitless or obstructed karma, aligning timing and conduct with dharmic prudence.