Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 32
Chapter 228 — स्वप्नाध्यायः
Svapnādhāyaḥ / Chapter on Dreams
सितवस्त्रं प्रसन्नाम्भः फली वृक्षो नभो ऽमलं
sitavastraṃ prasannāmbhaḥ phalī vṛkṣo nabho 'malaṃ
വെളുത്ത വസ്ത്രം, പ്രസന്നമായ തെളിഞ്ഞ ജലം, ഫലം തരുന്ന വൃക്ഷം, കളങ്കമില്ലാത്ത ആകാശം—ഇവ ശുഭലക്ഷണങ്ങളാണ്.
Lord Agni (narrating the omens/ritual signs to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Puja-vidhi and travel/undertaking decisions: recognize auspicious environmental signs before starting rites, vows, or important actions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śubha-lakṣaṇa (Auspicious Signs): White Cloth, Clear Water, Fruiting Tree, Clear Sky","lookup_keywords":["śubha-lakṣaṇa","pujā-vidhi","śānti","śakuna","nimitta"],"quick_summary":"Auspicious indicators include white garments, clear water, a fruit-bearing tree, and a spotless sky; these are taken as favorable omens for ritual success and safe beginnings."}
Concept: Śubha-nimitta: purity and clarity in surroundings support right action and ritual efficacy.
Application: Begin rites when surroundings and materials signify sattva—clean attire, clean water, and clear conditions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-lakshana (Auspicious omens and ritual indicators)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene ritual setting: a person in white garments near a clear pond, a fruit-laden tree beside the path, and a spotless blue sky overhead—visual shorthand for auspicious commencement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors, serene puja courtyard, devotee in white cloth holding a kalasha near clear water, fruiting tree with stylized leaves, spotless sky band, auspicious motifs, traditional ornament borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central auspicious tableau: white-clad devotee and kalasha, clear water vessel, fruit-bearing tree, bright clean sky; heavy gold foil highlights on ornaments and borders, deep reds and greens, temple arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework: instructional auspicious-sign chart with four vignettes—white cloth, clear water, fruiting tree, clear sky—soft pastel palette, minimal background, fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic landscape: traveler/priest in white, reflective clear water, detailed fruit tree, luminous cloudless sky; fine brushwork, patterned textiles, subtle shading, margin illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नभो 'मलम् = नभः + अमलम् (विसर्ग-सन्धि; 'अ' परे विसर्गस्य लोपः, अवग्रहः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Puja-vidhi sections on śānti and nimitta-lakṣaṇa; Agni Purana: Śakuna/Svapna chapters surrounding 228–229
FAQs
It lists practical śubha-lakṣaṇas—visible indicators (white clothing, clear water, fruiting tree, clean sky) used to judge ritual suitability and favorable timing for worship or pacificatory rites.
Alongside theology, it preserves applied ritual diagnostics—how to read environmental and material signs for successful rites—showing the text’s broad coverage of practical religious procedure.
Choosing auspicious conditions supports ritual purity (śauca) and mental clarity (prasāda), traditionally believed to remove obstacles and enhance the merit (puṇya) and efficacy of the rite.