Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
निवेदयति यात्रार्थमभिप्रेतं गृहे गतः एकाक्षरचरणस्त्वर्कं वीक्षमाणो भयावहः
nivedayati yātrārthamabhipretaṃ gṛhe gataḥ ekākṣaracaraṇastvarkaṃ vīkṣamāṇo bhayāvahaḥ
Si, étant entré dans sa maison, quelqu’un annonce le départ projeté pour un voyage—et qu’un borgne survient en marchant, le regard fixé sur le soleil—c’est un présage effrayant (signe de danger).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Assessing travel risk by reading immediate household and roadside omens before setting out; postponing or performing appeasement when inauspicious signs appear.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Travel-omen: one-eyed passerby staring at the sun after announcing departure","lookup_keywords":["yatra-nimitta","eka-aksha","arka-darshana","griha-pravesha","bhaya-ashanka"],"quick_summary":"After declaring a journey, encountering a one-eyed person walking while fixedly looking at the sun is treated as a fear-inducing travel portent; the practical response is delay, reroute, or propitiatory rite."}
Concept: Nimitta-jnana as prudential dharma: reading signs to avoid harm and choose auspicious timing.
Application: Before travel, observe first encounters and unusual bodily/behavioral signs; if ominous, pause and seek auspicious counter-signs or perform shanti.
Khanda Section: Ritual Omens and Travel Portents (Śakuna / Nimitta-śāstra within Purāṇic Dharmic Guidance)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler announces departure inside a house; outside, a one-eyed man walks by, head tilted upward, staring at the blazing sun—family members look alarmed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, stylized house courtyard, traveler with bundle, one-eyed passerby gazing at Surya disc, expressive fearful faces, traditional ornamented borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf sun halo, ornate doorway, traveler in rich textiles, one-eyed figure in profile looking at radiant Surya, embossed details, auspicious/inauspicious contrast","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional tableau: house interior with departure announcement, exterior street with one-eyed sun-gazer, labeled nimitta feel, soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic architecture, bright sun in sky, one-eyed passerby looking up, traveler and attendants reacting, fine textiles and naturalistic shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यात्रार्थम् = यात्रा + अर्थम्; एकाक्षरचरणः = एक + अक्षर + चरणः; चरणस्त्वर्कम् = चरणः + तु + अर्कम्; भयावहः = भय + आवहः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Śakuna/Nimitta section: travel and household omens)
FAQs
It gives nimitta-śāstra (omenology) guidance for travel: certain encounters—here, a one-eyed person walking while staring at the sun—are treated as inauspicious portents indicating danger, advising caution or postponement.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa compiles practical disciplines like omens, timing, and conduct; this verse exemplifies its applied knowledge for everyday decision-making (yātrā—setting out on journeys) within a dharmic framework.
Heeding inauspicious signs is framed as aligning action with dharma and cosmic order, reducing avoidable harm; prudence in timing and conduct is treated as a form of self-restraint that supports welfare and merit.