Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
अवमूत्र्याग्रतो याति यस्य तस्य भयं भवेत् यस्यावमूत्र्य व्रजति शुभं देशन्तथा द्रुमं
avamūtryāgrato yāti yasya tasya bhayaṃ bhavet yasyāvamūtrya vrajati śubhaṃ deśantathā drumaṃ
ಮೂತ್ರವಿಸರ್ಜನೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಅದೇ ಮುಂದಿನ ದಿಕ್ಕಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುವವನಿಗೆ ಭಯ ಉಂಟಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಆದರೆ ಮೂತ್ರವಿಸರ್ಜನೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಶುಭಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ಅಥವಾ (ಪವಿತ್ರ/ಶುಭ) ವೃಕ್ಷದ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುವುದಾದರೆ ಅದು ಶುಭಕರ.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Behavioral omen for travel: interpret direction and context after urination as a sign to avoid fear or secure good outcome.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mūtra-nimitta in yātrā: fear vs auspicious departure toward deśa/vṛkṣa","lookup_keywords":["mutra nimitta","yatra shakuna","auspicious direction","tree omen","fear sign"],"quick_summary":"If one proceeds in a manner read as leaving impurity behind improperly, it is a fear-omen; departing oriented toward an auspicious place or sacred tree is favorable—choose direction and timing accordingly."}
Concept: Śauca (purity) and auspicious orientation as supports for successful action.
Application: After bodily acts, re-establish ritual propriety (cleanliness, right direction), then proceed toward auspicious landmarks.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-Śāstra (Śakuna & Omenology)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler near a roadside tree; one depiction shows him moving off with a fearful omen after urination; another shows him turning toward an auspicious grove/tree and proceeding confidently.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-part narrative: left panel fearful traveler leaving a spot behind, right panel traveler turning toward a sacred tree with auspicious aura, bold outlines and symbolic halos around the tree","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, sacred tree with gold leaf aura, traveler offering a brief salutation then departing, contrasting smaller vignette of inauspicious departure, ornate border and rich colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional split-scene with arrows indicating direction toward auspicious deśa/vṛkṣa, clean composition and gentle palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic roadside with detailed foliage, traveler adjusting direction toward a prominent tree, subtle narrative contrast of fear vs favor"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अवमूत्र्याग्रतः = अवमूत्र्य + अग्रतः; यस्यावमूत्र्य = यस्य + अवमूत्र्य; देशन्तथा = देशम् + तथा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (yātrā-nimitta sequences)
FAQs
It teaches a nimitta (omen-rule) about post-urination movement: going straight ahead is read as inauspicious (fear), while departing toward an auspicious place or tree is considered favorable.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied omenology (nimitta-śāstra)—a practical discipline used for timing, travel, and daily decisions—showing the text’s wide coverage of lived ritual-culture.
It frames everyday bodily acts within auspicious/inauspicious patterns, encouraging mindful conduct and alignment with śubha-nimittas to avoid fear and invite favorable outcomes.