Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 37
Mantra-paribhāṣā (मन्त्रपरिभाषा) — Colophon/Closure
शुभा गीतादिशब्दाः स्युरीदृशं स्यादसिद्धये अनर्थगीरथाक्रन्दो दक्षिणे विरुतं क्षुतम्
śubhā gītādiśabdāḥ syurīdṛśaṃ syādasiddhaye anarthagīrathākrando dakṣiṇe virutaṃ kṣutam
गीत आदि के शुभ शब्द माने जाते हैं; परन्तु ऐसा ही कोई शब्द कभी असिद्धि का सूचक भी हो सकता है। वैसे ही निरर्थक वचन, रुदन, दाहिनी (दक्षिण) ओर से सुनाई देने वाली पुकार और उसी समय छींक—ये अप्राप्ति के निमित्त हैं।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Śakuna-parīkṣā: interpreting immediate sounds (śabda-nimitta) during travel, negotiation, worship, or undertaking a vow to judge success/failure and decide whether to proceed, pause, or repeat the act.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śabda-śakuna: Auspicious and inauspicious sounds","lookup_keywords":["śabda-śakuna","nimitta","dakṣiṇa-viruta","kṣut","anartha-gīḥ"],"quick_summary":"Singing and pleasant sounds are generally auspicious, yet in certain contexts can still indicate non-attainment; meaningless talk, wailing, right-side cries, and sneezing at the moment are treated as obstructive omens."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: reading contingent signs while acknowledging ambiguity (even ‘auspicious’ sounds may fail depending on context).
Application: Cultivate situational discernment: if obstructive sounds occur at the start, delay, purify, or re-initiate the undertaking rather than forcing it.
Khanda Section: Śakuna-śāstra (Omens and Auspicious/Inauspicious Sounds)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler or ritualist pauses as mixed sounds arise—song in the distance, then wailing and a sudden sneeze; a bird cries from the right/southern side, signaling obstruction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, temple courtyard scene with a yajamāna holding a small offering tray, attendants listening; distant singers on one side, a mourner wailing on the other; a bird perched to the right; rich earthy reds and greens, bold outlines, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure as a ritualist with halo-like arch, gold leaf highlights on vessels; symbolic motifs of conch and lamp; to the right a bird crying, a figure sneezing; ornate borders and embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau with labeled sound-omens: singer, wailer, sneezing figure, bird on right; delicate lines, soft shading, minimal background, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly traveler with companions at a crossroads; musicians faintly visible; a mourner and a sneezing attendant; a bird on the right branch; fine detailing, naturalistic foliage, muted jewel tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syur īdṛśam → syuḥ + īdṛśam; syād asiddhaye → syāt + asiddhaye; anarthagīrathākrando interpreted as anartha-gīḥ + athā + krandaḥ (orthographic sandhi/compound-like concatenation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 293 (Śakuna/Nimitta sections); Agni Purana (Svapna-phala and nimitta lists in adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches śabda-nimitta (sound-omens): how singing and other sounds, meaningless speech, wailing, right-side cries, and sneezing are read as indicators of success or failure in an intended undertaking/rite.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical śakuna-śāstra—an applied system for decision-making around rites and actions—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of everyday prognostics alongside ritual instruction.
By avoiding actions when inauspicious sound-omens arise (asiddhi-nimitta), one is advised to prevent wasted ritual effort and reduce the likelihood of fruitless or obstructed karma, aligning timing and conduct with dharmic prudence.