Shloka 24

Dhvaja–Dhūmra–Paśu-Ākṛti Śakuna: Interpreting Banner, Smoke, and Animal-Form Omens by Stations

Devanagari script

खरस्थाने ध्वजं दृष्ट्वा रोगशोकादिकं भवेत् / खरस्थाने स्थिते धूम्रे तस्करादिभयं भवेत्

Transliteration

kharasthāne dhvajaṃ dṛṣṭvā rogaśokādikaṃ bhavet / kharasthāne sthite dhūmre taskarādibhayaṃ bhavet

Translation

Si l’on voit une bannière dans le lieu de l’Âne, cela présage maladie, chagrin et autres maux semblables. Si, dans le lieu de l’Âne, apparaît une obscurité enfumée (teinte sombre), naîtra la crainte des voleurs et de dangers analogues.

Word by Word

• खरस्थाने: in the place/sign of the donkey
• खरस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• ध्वजम्: a flag/banner
• ध्वजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दृश् (धातु) → दृष्ट्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund)

• रोगशोकादिकम्: disease, grief, etc.
• रोगशोकादिकम्: Karma/Phala (Object/Result)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोग-शोक-आदि (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व

• भवेत्: would occur/be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• खरस्थाने: in donkey-place
• खरस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• स्थिते: when situated
• स्थिते: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु) → स्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), सप्तमी, एकवचन

• धूम्रे: in/with the smoky/grey one
• धूम्रे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• तस्करादिभयम्: fear of thieves and the like
• तस्करादिभयम्: Karma/Phala (Object/Result)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तस्कर-आदि-भय (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषभावः (तस्करादेः भयम्)

• भवेत्: would occur/be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Inauspicious nimitta indicates impending duḥkha: roga-śoka and external threats (taskarabhaya).

Vedantic Theme: Duḥkha as a product of guṇa-karma interplay in saṃsāra; prudent action within vyavahāra while cultivating inner steadiness.

Application: Treat such signs as risk flags: prioritize health checks, reduce exposure to conflict, secure property, avoid risky travel/transactions, and strengthen community safeguards.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: zodiacal/omenic station (sthāna)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (inauspicious omens and their phala)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of omen-reading in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats visible signs (like a flag or smoky darkness in a specific ‘place’) as warnings, prompting timely caution, prayer, and protective conduct to reduce coming harm.

How does this verse connect to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on suffering?

It frames suffering (illness, grief, fear) as events with recognizable precursors; the text often advises vigilance and dharmic action so one does not become careless and invite avoidable distress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat unusual warning-signs as prompts to be careful: safeguard valuables, avoid risky travel, seek medical attention early, and strengthen daily discipline (satya, ahimsa, prayer/charity) rather than ignoring hazards.