Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
शिवाय स्वामिनो रात्रौ बलीवर्दो नदन् भवेत् उत्सृष्टवृषभो राज्ञो विजयं सम्प्रयच्छति
śivāya svāmino rātrau balīvardo nadan bhavet utsṛṣṭavṛṣabho rājño vijayaṃ samprayacchati
यदि रात में बैल रंभाए तो वह उसके स्वामी के लिए शुभ होता है। छोड़ा गया वृषभ राजा को विजय प्रदान करता है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Using bovine vocalization and bull-release as royal/household prognostics for auspiciousness and victory; timing decisions (march, audience, proclamation) around favorable omens.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Go-vṛṣa-śakuna (Ox and bull omens)","lookup_keywords":["balīvarda-nadana","rātrau-śiva","utsṛṣṭa-vṛṣabha","rājā-vijaya","śakuna"],"quick_summary":"An ox bellowing at night is auspicious for its owner. A bull set loose is read as a victory-sign for the king, supporting confident royal action."}
Concept: Śubha-nimitta: favorable signs strengthen resolve and coordinate collective action (household/kingdom).
Application: Proceed with planned undertakings (journey, proclamation, campaign) when such omens occur; reinforce morale and public messaging.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Śakunā-śāstra (Omens and royal prognostics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palace stable at night: an ox bellows while attendants look pleased; in a second vignette, a strong bull is ceremonially released as the king’s victory-omen, with ministers and soldiers encouraged.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-register narrative: night stable with bellowing ox and smiling attendants; royal courtyard with bull being released, king in traditional attire, soldiers in rhythmic formation, saturated colors and stylized flora","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf on royal ornaments and stable lamps, king seated with ministers as bull is released, auspicious motifs (lotus, conch) in borders, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic composition: attendant reporting ox’s night bellow to master; separate panel of bull-release before campaign, fine lines and soft gradients","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed stable architecture, night sky wash, ox bellowing; court scene with king and released bull, precise textiles, subtle expressions of auspicious delight"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उत्सृष्ट + वृषभः → उत्सृष्टवृषभः (समास); अन्य सन्धि स्पष्ट नहीं।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Rājadharma-śakuna context)
FAQs
It conveys śakunā-vidyā (omenology): specific animal behaviors—an ox bellowing at night and a bull being released—are read as auspicious indicators for an owner and as victory-portents for a king.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical royal knowledge—prognostics used in statecraft and decision-making—showing how governance (rājadharma) incorporated culturally standardized omen-reading.
The verse frames prosperity and victory as aligned with auspicious signs (śiva), encouraging rulers and householders to act in harmony with dharmic timing and favorable portents understood as reflections of cosmic order.