Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 24
Chapter 228 — स्वप्नाध्यायः
Svapnādhāyaḥ / Chapter on Dreams
भक्षणञ्चार्द्रमांसानाम्पायसस्य च भक्षणं दर्शनं रुधिरस्यापि स्नानं वा रुधिरेण च
bhakṣaṇañcārdramāṃsānāmpāyasasya ca bhakṣaṇaṃ darśanaṃ rudhirasyāpi snānaṃ vā rudhireṇa ca
ಆರ್ದ್ರ/ಕಚ್ಚಾ ಮಾಂಸವನ್ನು ಭಕ್ಷಿಸುವುದು, ಪಾಯಸವನ್ನು ಭಕ್ಷಿಸುವುದು, ರಕ್ತವನ್ನು ನೋಡುವುದು, ಅಥವಾ ರಕ್ತದಿಂದ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡುವುದು—ಇವು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಅಶುಭ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳೆಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Diagnostic/omenic reading of diet-acts and blood-related visions as indicators of impurity/inauspiciousness; guiding avoidance and purification measures.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Aśubha-nimitta: Ārdra-māṃsa, Pāyasa, Rudhira-darśana/Rudhira-snāna","lookup_keywords":["aśubha-nimitta","ārdra-māṃsa","pāyasa","rudhira-darśana","rudhira-snāna"],"quick_summary":"Lists adverse indications: consuming moist/raw meat or pāyasa, seeing blood, or bathing in blood—treated here as inauspicious signs requiring caution and remedial rites."}
Concept: Śauca (purity) and restraint in food/behavior as safeguards against doṣa (ritual and practical harm).
Application: When such signs occur, adopt caution: cleanse, avoid initiating major actions, and re-establish purity through accepted rites and disciplined diet.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Chikitsa-vidhi (omens, dreams, and impurity indicators)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cautionary tableau: a person consuming moist meat and pāyasa, then witnessing blood or bathing in blood—shown as ominous signs with a priest indicating avoidance/purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic red tones for blood imagery, figure recoiling from a blood sight, food offerings shown (meat and pāyasa), a priest gestures toward cleansing vessels; stylized, symbolic depiction of aśubha-nimitta","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with ornate border: central figure with food plates (pāyasa bowl, meat), a separate vignette of blood sight; gold accents contrast with ominous red; priest holding a kamandalu indicating purification","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional scene: sequential panels—(1) eating ārdra-māṃsa, (2) eating pāyasa, (3) seeing blood, (4) blood-bath—each marked as aśubha; fine linework and clear iconography","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature narrative: indoor dining scene and an outdoor bathing scene; subtle expressions of alarm; detailed vessels and textiles; restrained but vivid red for blood sign"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhakṣaṇam+ca → bhakṣaṇañca; ārdra-māṃsānām; rudhirasya+api → rudhirasyāpi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: śauca and prāyaścitta-related passages (contextual); Agni Purana: nimitta/dream-interpretation material near this section (contextual)
FAQs
It lists specific acts/visions—eating raw-moist meat, eating pāyasa, seeing blood, or bathing in blood—as arishta-type indicators used in traditional prognostics (health/fate omens) within the chapter’s diagnostic framework.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical diagnostic lore—classifying signs and portents (arishta) relevant to wellbeing and impending outcomes—showing its wide-ranging, handbook-like scope.
Blood-associated acts and visions are treated as markers of impurity or danger; the teaching functions as a cautionary note to recognize inauspicious conditions and respond with restraint and appropriate purification/ritual remedies per the broader context.