Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 27
Utpāta-śānti
Pacification of Portents
अरण्यं यान्ति वा ग्राम्याः जलं यान्ति स्थलोद्भवाः स्थलं वा जलजा यान्ति राजद्वारादिके शिवाः
araṇyaṃ yānti vā grāmyāḥ jalaṃ yānti sthalodbhavāḥ sthalaṃ vā jalajā yānti rājadvārādike śivāḥ
गाँव में रहने वाले जीव वन की ओर जाएँ, स्थलज जल में जाएँ, और जलज स्थल पर आ जाएँ—ऐसी घटनाएँ यदि राजद्वार आदि सार्वजनिक स्थानों पर दिखें तो वे शुभ निमित्त मानी जाती हैं।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Governance omen-reading at public nodes (king’s gate): interpret unusual habitat-crossing movements of creatures as auspicious indicators for state affairs and public morale.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rājadvāra-śakuna: habitat-inversion movements as śiva (auspicious)","lookup_keywords":["rājadvāra","śakuna","śiva-nimitta","jalaja-sthala","grāmya-araṇya"],"quick_summary":"When creatures behave contrary to their usual habitat—village animals to forest, land-born to water, water-born to land—seen at the king’s gate and public places, it is counted as auspicious. Such signs are used to time actions and reassure the polity."}
Alamkara Type: Vyatireka/vaiparītya (inversion as sign)
Concept: Ruler’s duty includes attentiveness to collective signs and maintaining auspicious order; ‘śiva’ here denotes welfare-producing indications.
Application: Use auspicious public omens to schedule proclamations, journeys, or assemblies; strengthen public confidence through timely, dharmic action.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Shakuna (Omens and Portents in Governance)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Civic/Palatial gateway
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At a grand royal gate, townsfolk observe unusual movements: cattle/dogs heading toward forest, land animals entering water, fish/amphibians appearing on land; heralds note it as auspicious.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ornate rājadvāra with guards, stylized animals moving in reversed directions, calm auspicious color accents, palm trees and water body framing the inversion.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gilded royal archway, symmetrical composition, animals in orderly reversed procession, attendants with scrolls, gold highlights emphasizing ‘śiva’ auspiciousness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic narrative—royal gate center, arrows showing habitat shifts, scribes recording omens, clean lines and soft colors for instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: palace gate with intricate jali, courtiers observing, animals depicted naturalistically in unusual placements (fish near steps, deer near moat), celebratory yet subtle mood."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्थलोद्भवाः = स्थल + उद्भवाः (स्वर-सन्धिः: अ + उ → ओ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana—Rājadharma passages on public order and auspicious timing; Agni Purana—Nimitta/Śakuna sequences around 262.26–262.29
FAQs
It teaches nimitta/shakuna-vidya: interpreting unusual animal movements across natural habitats—especially when witnessed at royal/public thresholds—as auspicious indicators for the king and the realm.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied knowledge used in administration—reading public omens (nimittas) connected to royal spaces—showing the Purana’s coverage of governance, prognostics, and practical decision-support traditions.
Auspicious nimittas at the king’s gate are treated as signs of śiva (welfare) for the polity, implying harmony of dharma in rulership and a favorable unfolding of outcomes for king and subjects.