Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 21
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
भयाय स्वामिनि ज्ञेयमनिमित्तं रुतङ्गवां निशि चौरभयाय स्याद्विकृतं मृत्यवे तथा
bhayāya svāmini jñeyamanimittaṃ rutaṅgavāṃ niśi caurabhayāya syādvikṛtaṃ mṛtyave tathā
犬が理由なく遠吠えするのは、主人に危難が迫る徴と知るべきである。夜であれば盗賊への恐れを示し、声が異様に乱れ歪むときは、同様に死の兆しである。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Interpreting canine vocalizations as immediate risk indicators for household security and royal/elite protection (danger, theft, death-omen) and adjusting vigilance accordingly.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śvāna-ruta-śakuna (Dog-howling omens)","lookup_keywords":["śvāna-ruta","animittta","cora-bhaya","vikṛta-śabda","mṛtyu-nimitta"],"quick_summary":"Uncaused dog-howling signals danger to the master; at night it specifically warns of thieves. A distorted/abnormal howl is treated as a death-omen, prompting heightened protection and ritual caution."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: reading external signs to manage worldly risk and duty of protection.
Application: Increase guards, secure gates/treasury, avoid travel, perform protective rites when such omens occur—especially at night.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Shakuna-vidya (Omens and portents)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night courtyard outside a noble house: dogs howling toward darkness; guards alerted; a shadowy thief presence implied; the master inside shown anxious; one dog’s howl depicted as distorted/unnatural to signify death-omen.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, night courtyard with stylized dogs howling, oil-lamp glow, palace guards with spears alerted, ominous dark grove beyond, traditional ornamented architecture, high-contrast expressive eyes","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on palace pillars and lamps, central noble figure receiving omen report, dogs at threshold howling, rich reds and greens, embossed ornaments, auspicious/inauspicious symbolism subtly contrasted","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, narrative panel: dog howling at night, guard captain instructing increased watch, calm composition with clear didactic focus, soft shading and muted palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed night scene with architectural precision, dogs howling, guards with lanterns, a thief silhouette near a wall, fine textiles on the master, cool blues for night with warm lamp light"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ज्ञेयम् + अनिमित्तम् → ज्ञेयमनिमित्तम्; स्यात् + विकृतम् → स्याद्विकृतम्; रुत + अङ्गवाम् → रुतङ्गवाम् (समास/सन्धि); चौर + भयाय → चौरभयाय (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Śakuna/Nimitta-prakaraṇa)
FAQs
It teaches shakuna–nimitta interpretation: causeless dog howling is read as an omen—danger to the householder, theft-risk at night, and death when the cry is distorted.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs practical applied knowledge such as Jyotisha-based omen reading for day-to-day risk assessment (security, misfortune, mortality).
Recognizing ominous signs is meant to prompt timely precautions and propitiatory acts (śānti), reducing harm and aligning household conduct with dharmic vigilance.