Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
युद्धयात्रा (Yuddhayātrā) — The War-Expedition
न शस्तन्तु तथा वामे पृष्ठस्य हृदयस्य च लाञ्छनं पिटकञ्चैव विज्ञेयं स्फुरणं तथा
na śastantu tathā vāme pṛṣṭhasya hṛdayasya ca lāñchanaṃ piṭakañcaiva vijñeyaṃ sphuraṇaṃ tathā
ແຕ່ທາງຂ້າງຊ້າຍ ຮອຍຫຼືເຄື່ອງໝາຍທີ່ຫຼັງ ແລະບ່ອນໃກ້ຫົວໃຈ ບໍ່ຖືວ່າເປັນມົງຄຸນ; ອີກທັງ ຝີ/ຕຸ່ມພອງ ຄວນເຂົ້າໃຈວ່າເປັນນິມິດ ແລະອາການກະຕຸກຂອງຮ່າງກາຍກໍເຊັ່ນດຽວກັນ.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Interpreting inauspicious bodily omens (left-side signs; marks on back/heart region; boils; throbbing) to postpone action, perform pacification rites, or increase caution.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vama-paksha and Hridaya-Prishtha Lakshana as Ashubha Nimitta","lookup_keywords":["vama ashubha","hridaya lakshana","prishtha lakshana","pitaka omen","sphurana omen"],"quick_summary":"Left-side indications, and marks on the back or heart-region, are treated as inauspicious; boils/eruptions and bodily throbbing are also to be read as omens requiring caution."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Reading the body as a field of nimitta; asymmetry (left/right) and vital regions (heart) carry prognostic weight.
Application: Use adverse signs to delay travel/war, perform śānti, or adopt defensive posture.
Khanda Section: Samudrika-lakshana / Nimitta-shastra (omens and bodily marks)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An omen-reader points to inauspicious left-side signs: a mark near the heart/back area and a visible boil, advising restraint; the subject appears concerned.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized figure showing left-side mark near chest/back, a small red boil motif, a sage-like nimitta-knower gesturing ‘avoid’, strong contour lines and traditional ornaments.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated omen-reader with palm-leaf manuscript, gold detailing on attire, the subject displaying left-side chest/back region symbolically, small highlighted boil as a sign.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic panel: left-side inauspicious indicators mapped on a human figure, heart/back regions emphasized, neat linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate diagnostic scene in a court setting: physician-omenist examining a mark near the heart and a boil, attendants watching, fine textile detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शस्तन्तु = शस्तम् + तु; पिटकञ्चैव = पिटकम् + च + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 227 (nimitta rules around yatra and battle); Agni Purana 228 (dream-omens as parallel nimitta system)
FAQs
It teaches nimitta-jñāna (omen-reading) through bodily indicators—especially that left-side marks on the back/heart region, boils, and involuntary throbbings are to be interpreted as inauspicious or cautionary signs.
Beyond myth and devotion, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge systems like Nimitta-śāstra and Sāmudrika-lakṣaṇa—practical diagnostics of fortune/misfortune based on bodily signs.
By recognizing adverse omens early, one is prompted to adopt restraint, prayer, or expiatory conduct—reducing harmful outcomes and aligning actions with dharma and auspicious timing.