Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
यातुः काको ऽनुकूलस्तु क्षेमः कर्मक्षमो भवेत् न त्वर्थसाधको ज्ञेयः प्रतिकूलो भयावहः
yātuḥ kāko 'nukūlastu kṣemaḥ karmakṣamo bhavet na tvarthasādhako jñeyaḥ pratikūlo bhayāvahaḥ
Pour celui qui se met en route, un corbeau—s’il est favorable—indique la sûreté et que l’entreprise pourra s’accomplir avec efficacité ; toutefois, il ne doit pas être tenu pour un signe d’acquisition de richesse. S’il est défavorable, on sait qu’il engendre la crainte.
Lord Agni (teaching in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Use crow-omens at departure to judge safety and operational success of a journey/undertaking, distinguishing it from signs of direct financial gain.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śakuna for Travel: Crow as Favorable/Unfavorable Sign","lookup_keywords":["shakuna","crow omen","travel","anukula","pratikula"],"quick_summary":"A favorable crow at departure indicates safety and effective execution, but not necessarily wealth-gain. An unfavorable crow indicates fear and risk."}
Concept: Omen-reading is domain-specific: one sign may indicate safety/efficacy without implying wealth; interpretation must be bounded.
Application: When signs are favorable, proceed with confidence but keep financial expectations separate; when unfavorable, delay, propitiate, or increase precautions.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Shakuna-shastra (Omens and augury in travel and undertakings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler at the threshold with staff and bundle watches a crow; one depiction shows the crow calm and favorable, another shows it ominous, prompting hesitation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a traveler at a gateway, crow perched nearby; split composition showing anukūla (calm crow, open path) and pratikūla (agitated crow, darkened sky); stylized foliage borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a departing merchant with gold-highlighted ornaments and travel bundle; crow rendered prominently; auspicious side with bright aura, inauspicious side with subdued tones; gold work on threshold arch.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style didactic scene: traveler pointing to crow, with small labels ‘anukūla—kṣema’ and ‘pratikūla—bhaya’; clean lines, minimal background, emphasis on gesture and direction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a caravan departure at city gate; a crow in foreground; attendants reacting differently in two vignettes; detailed architecture and textiles, muted natural palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kāko 'nukūlastu→kākaḥ+anukūlaḥ+tu (visarga elision before vowel); tvarthasādhako→tu+artha-sādhakaḥ; bhayāvahaḥ→bhaya-āvahaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Shakuna-vidyā rules for directions, sounds, and animal-birds in travel
FAQs
It teaches shakuna-vidya (augury): interpreting the crow’s behavior as an omen specifically for travel—favorable indicates safety and smooth execution, while unfavorable indicates danger.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied knowledge used in daily life—decision-making based on omens for journeys—showing the text’s coverage of practical jyotisha/nimitta traditions alongside ritual and dharma.
It promotes mindful action (pravṛtti) aligned with perceived auspiciousness, encouraging caution and restraint when signs are adverse—thus reducing risky, harm-producing choices and supporting kṣema (well-being).