Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 3
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
षट्प्रकारा विनिर्दिष्टा शकुनानाञ्च दीप्तयः वेलादिग्देशकरणरुतजातिविभेदतः
ṣaṭprakārā vinirdiṣṭā śakunānāñca dīptayaḥ velādigdeśakaraṇarutajātivibhedataḥ
Les manifestations des augures (śakuna) sont dites de six sortes, distinguées selon le temps, la direction, le lieu, le karaṇa (facteur astronomique), le son/le cri et l’espèce.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s usual frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Systematically record and interpret omens by six diagnostic axes (time, direction, place, karaṇa, sound, species) to standardize augury.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ṣaḍvidha Śakuna-dīpti-bheda (Sixfold Omen Manifestation Criteria)","lookup_keywords":["ṣaṭ-prakāra","śakuna","vela","dik","karaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Omen indications are classified by six differentiators: time, direction, place, karaṇa (astronomical half-tithi unit), cry/sound, and species. This creates a checklist for consistent omen assessment."}
Concept: Pramāṇa-by-observation: meaning is inferred by correlating multiple contextual variables rather than a single sign.
Application: When an omen occurs, log all six parameters; interpret only after cross-checking (e.g., same bird-cry differs by direction/time/karaṇa).
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Shakuna-shastra (Omens and augury)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An augur demonstrates a six-part checklist while various birds/animals appear at different directions and times; a small astronomical panel shows karaṇa/tithi markers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular mandala-like layout with six labeled segments: time, direction, place, karaṇa, sound, species; stylized birds and animals in each segment; bold outlines, warm pigments.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate framed ‘sixfold śakuna’ chart with gold borders; central sage/daivajña holding palm-leaf; surrounding vignettes of directional birds and time-of-day bands; rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic chart-board scene: astrologer points to six headings; small icons for compass directions, a village/forest place marker, karaṇa wheel, sound waves, and species silhouettes; fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic landscape with augur and attendants; birds flying from specific directions, animals at distinct locations; inset panel of karaṇa calendar; detailed flora and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ṣaṭprakārā → ṣaṭ-prakārāḥ; śakunānāñca → śakunānām ca; velādig... → velā-ādi-dik-deśa-karaṇa-ruta-jāti-vibheda-taḥ (tasil -taḥ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Jyotiṣa khanda: sections defining karaṇa, tithi, vāra and their use in muhūrta; Agni Purana Nimitta/Śakuna subsections listing bird/animal omens and their phala
FAQs
It gives a technical taxonomy for interpreting omens: evaluate an omen by six parameters—time (velā), direction (dik), place (deśa), karaṇa (astronomical timing factor), sound/cry (ruta), and species (jāti).
By incorporating Śakuna-śāstra and Jyotiṣa-style timing (karaṇa) into a Purāṇic text, it shows the Agni Purāṇa’s scope beyond theology—preserving applied decision-sciences used for travel, rituals, and daily undertakings.
Reading omens with proper criteria is presented as a way to align actions with auspicious timing and avoid inauspicious undertakings, thereby reducing avoidable harm and supporting dharmic, orderly conduct.