Shloka 28

Dhvaja–Dhūmra–Paśu-Ākṛti Śakuna: Interpreting Banner, Smoke, and Animal-Form Omens by Stations

Devanagari script

गजस्थाने ध्वजं दृष्ट्वा स्त्रीजयश्रीसुखादिकम् / गजस्थानेस्थिते धूम्रे धनधान्यसमागमः

Transliteration

gajasthāne dhvajaṃ dṛṣṭvā strījayaśrīsukhādikam / gajasthānesthite dhūmre dhanadhānyasamāgamaḥ

Translation

ഗജസ്ഥാനത്ത് ധ്വജം കണ്ടാൽ സ്ത്രീസംഗം, ജയം, ശ്രീ (സമ്പത്ത്) എന്നിവയും സുഖാദികളും ഫലിക്കും. ഗജസ്ഥാനത്ത് ധൂമ്രം (ചാരനിറ പുക) നിലകൊള്ളുകയാണെങ്കിൽ ധനവും ധാന്യവും സമാഗമിക്കും.

Word by Word

• गजस्थाने: in the elephant-place/sign
• गजस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गजस्य स्थानम्)

• ध्वजम्: a flag/banner
• ध्वजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verbal action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त

• स्त्रीजयश्रीसुखादिकम्: women, victory, prosperity, happiness, etc.
• स्त्रीजयश्रीसुखादिकम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री-जय-श्री-सुख-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (स्त्री च जयः च श्रीः च सुखं च आदि च)

• गजस्थाने: in the elephant-place/sign
• गजस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• स्थिते: when (it) is situated
• स्थिते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP), सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘स्थिते (सति)’ locative absolute

• धूम्रे: in/when there is a grey one (smoke-colored creature)
• धूम्रे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘धूम्रे’ = (धूम्रः/धूम्रवर्णः प्राणी) locative absolute with स्थिते

• धनधान्यसमागमः: acquisition/meeting of wealth and grain
• धनधान्यसमागमः: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन-धान्य-समागम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः (धनं च धान्यं च) + समागमः; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वपूर्वक तत्पुरुषभावः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śrī and success arise when auspicious indicators align; prosperity is to be used in dharmic enjoyment and generosity.

Vedantic Theme: Artha-kāma under dharma; recognition that prosperity is a contingent fruit, not the ultimate end.

Application: When fortune increases, practice gratitude, share wealth, and maintain ethical conduct to stabilize gains.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: omenic positional locus (gajasthāna)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199.29-30 (continued gajasthāna omens)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of omen-reading in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that the text links observable signs (like a flag or smoke in a specific quarter) with likely outcomes, guiding householders toward practical, dharmic planning and caution.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not describe the soul’s post-death journey here; instead, it belongs to the Ācāra (conduct/observances) material where worldly signs are interpreted for results such as prosperity and success.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat ‘omens’ as prompts for mindfulness: when signs suggest opportunity (prosperity/victory), proceed with disciplined effort and ethical conduct, and avoid superstition-driven decisions.