Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 1
Chapter 228 — स्वप्नाध्यायः
Svapnādhāyaḥ / Chapter on Dreams
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे यात्रा नाम सप्तविंशत्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथाष्टाविंशत्यधिकशततमो ऽध्यायः स्वप्नाध्यायः पुष्कर उवाच स्वप्नं शौभाशुभं वक्ष्ये दुःखप्रहरणन्तथा नाभिं विनान्यत्र गात्रे तृणवृक्षसमुद्भवः
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe yātrā nāma saptaviṃśatyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ athāṣṭāviṃśatyadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ svapnādhyāyaḥ puṣkara uvāca svapnaṃ śaubhāśubhaṃ vakṣye duḥkhapraharaṇantathā nābhiṃ vinānyatra gātre tṛṇavṛkṣasamudbhavaḥ
Ainsi, dans l’Agni Mahāpurāṇa s’achève le chapitre deux cent vingt-sept, intitulé « Voyage (Yātrā) ». Commence maintenant le chapitre deux cent vingt-huit, le « Chapitre des Rêves ». Puṣkara dit : « J’exposerai les rêves, favorables et défavorables, ainsi que ceux qui dissipent la peine. (Règle :) hormis le nombril, si, sur quelque autre partie du corps, apparaît la pousse d’herbes ou d’arbres (en rêve), il faut l’entendre comme un présage. »
Puṣkara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Dream-omen interpretation (svapna-vidyā) for assessing auspicious/inauspicious outcomes and identifying dreams believed to relieve sorrow; specific symbol-rule about vegetation sprouting on the body (except navel).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Svapna-adhyaya Pravesha and Deha-ankura Svapna-nimitta","lookup_keywords":["svapna adhyaya","shubha ashubha svapna","duhkha praharana svapna","dehe trina vriksha","nabhi exception"],"quick_summary":"The text opens the dream-omen chapter, promising classification of auspicious, inauspicious, and sorrow-dispelling dreams; it notes a rule about dreaming of grass/trees sprouting on the body (with an exception for the navel), to be read as an omen."}
Concept: Svapna as a nimitta-domain: inner experience is treated as meaningful sign requiring discernment (viveka) and appropriate response (śānti/pravṛtti-nivṛtti).
Application: Record and classify dreams; when ominous symbols appear, adopt restraint and perform pacificatory observances; when sorrow-dispelling dreams occur, proceed with steadiness.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-śāstra (Dream Omens / Svapna-vidyā) within Dharma–Ritual & Auspiciousness Literature
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dream-vision: a sleeping person sees grass and small trees sprouting from parts of their body, with the navel conspicuously exempt; Puṣkara addresses listeners, introducing the dream chapter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split scene: Puṣkara teaching with palm-leaf manuscript on one side; on the other, a stylized dream cloud showing a sleeper and symbolic grass/trees sprouting from limbs (navel left clear), bold colors and traditional motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Puṣkara as central teacher with gold aureole-like detailing, disciples seated; inset dream vignette with ornate gold borders showing body-sprouting vegetation symbolism, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: teacher explaining ‘svapna-śubha-aśubha’, with a clear diagrammatic dream panel indicating ‘except navel’, fine linework and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate scholarly gathering with Puṣkara speaking; in the upper corner a dream-cartouche shows a sleeper and delicate botanical sprouts from the body, meticulous detail and subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् = इति + (अ) (यण्-सन्धि/अवग्रह-पूर्व); 'अध्यायः' इत्यत्र ऽ = अ (अवग्रह). विनान्यत्र = विना + अन्यत्र.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 227 (Yatra-adhyaya conclusion; omens for action); Agni Purana 228 (Svapna-adhyaya: subsequent dream lists and interpretations)
FAQs
It introduces Svapna-vidyā (dream-omen science), stating that dreams have auspicious/inauspicious results and noting a specific bodily-omen motif: the dream-appearance of grass/trees sprouting on the body (with a stated exception involving the navel) is treated as a meaningful sign.
By shifting from a prior chapter on travel (yātrā) to a systematic treatment of dream omens, it shows the Agni Purana’s wide scope—preserving applied knowledge traditions like nimitta-śāstra alongside ritual, dharma, and practical life-guidance.
Dreams are framed as karmically informative signals—some causing fear or sorrow and others removing it—encouraging the listener to read omens carefully and respond with appropriate caution, purification, or remedial conduct as later verses prescribe.