Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 20
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
नन्वर्थसाधक इत्य् आदिः, गृहे गत इत्य् अन्तःः पाठः ट पुस्तके नास्ति कोटरे इत्य् आदिः सर्वार्थसाधक इत्य् अन्तः पाठः टपुस्तके नास्ति मङ्गलञ्च तथा द्रव्यं तस्य स्यादर्थसिद्धये श्ववच्च राम विज्ञेयास् तथा वै जम्बुकादयः
nanvarthasādhaka ity ādiḥ, gṛhe gata ity antaḥḥ pāṭhaḥ ṭa pustake nāsti koṭare ity ādiḥ sarvārthasādhaka ity antaḥ pāṭhaḥ ṭapustake nāsti maṅgalañca tathā dravyaṃ tasya syādarthasiddhaye śvavacca rāma vijñeyās tathā vai jambukādayaḥ
Catatan teks: dari ‘nanv arthasādhaka…’ sampai ‘gṛhe gata…’ bacaan ini tidak terdapat dalam naskah ṭa; dan dari ‘koṭare…’ sampai ‘sarvārthasādhaka…’ bacaan ini juga tidak terdapat dalam naskah ṭa. (Ayat utama:) Demi tercapainya tujuan, hendaknya diperoleh pertanda baik dan sarana materi; dan wahai Rāma, dalam ilmu pertanda, anjing serta serigala/jakal dan yang sejenis juga patut dipahami.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s standard discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha; the vocative ‘Rāma’ reflects a carried-over address style in some śakuna/nimitta passages and may indicate a parallel/variant transmission)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Omen interpretation involving animals (dogs, jackals) and ensuring auspicious materials/conditions for success; also alerts to manuscript-variant awareness in transmission.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Śakuna notes: securing maṅgala-dravya for artha-siddhi; canine/jackal omens; pāṭha-bheda (manuscript variants)","lookup_keywords":["shakuna","mangala dravya","artha siddhi","shva","jambuka"],"quick_summary":"For accomplishing aims, secure auspicious conditions and materials; dogs and jackals are significant in omen-lore. The verse also preserves textual-critical notes about variant readings."}
Concept: Artha-siddhi depends on both right means (dravya) and right signs (nimitta); knowledge is preserved through careful textual transmission.
Application: Before undertakings, arrange auspicious requisites and observe animal-omens; in study, compare manuscripts and note omissions/additions.
Khanda Section: Shakuna-śāstra / Nimitta-vidyā (Omens and portents in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic sections)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler or householder gathers auspicious items for success while observing a dog and a jackal as omen-animals; alongside, a scribe compares palm-leaf manuscripts noting missing readings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, foreground: ritual tray with maṅgala-dravya, dog and jackal at the edge as omen figures, background: scribe with palm-leaf manuscripts, stylized animals and decorative borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central auspicious tray with gold leaf, devotee preparing for an undertaking, dog and jackal rendered symbolically, side vignette of manuscript comparison, rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: labeled maṅgala-dravya, dog and jackal as śakuna markers, scholar-scribe with manuscripts and marginal notes, clear didactic layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard scene with scholar examining manuscripts, nearby street with dog and jackal in naturalistic style, fine architectural detail and subdued palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मङ्गलञ्च = मङ्गलम् + च; केशञ्चैव… handled in prior verse; टपुस्तके = ट + पुस्तके; श्ववच्च = श्ववत् + च. Verse contains editorial apparatus phrases (इत्यादिः… पाठः… नास्ति) treated as regular padas.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (śakuna-vidyā animal omens)
FAQs
It teaches nimitta/śakuna interpretation: recognizing certain animals (dogs, jackals, etc.) as significant omens in assessing or supporting the success (artha-siddhi) of an intended undertaking, along with the practical instruction to secure auspicious factors and necessary material means.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge such as omenology (nimitta-vidyā)—a pragmatic decision-aid tradition used in travel, projects, and royal/public life—showing the text’s wide coverage of day-to-day sciences and advisory disciplines.
By aligning actions with auspicious signs and adequate means, the verse implies acting with dharmic prudence (careful, non-reckless conduct), which traditionally is seen as reducing avoidable harm and obstacles, thereby supporting favorable outcomes and steadier karmic results.