Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 2
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
सर्वः पापफलो दीप्तो निर्दिष्टो दैवचिन्तिकैः शान्तः शुभफलश् चैव दैवज्ञैः समुदाहृतः
sarvaḥ pāpaphalo dīpto nirdiṣṭo daivacintikaiḥ śāntaḥ śubhaphalaś caiva daivajñaiḥ samudāhṛtaḥ
Fenomena yang menyala-nyala dinyatakan oleh pentafsir alamat sebagai membawa hasil dosa sepenuhnya; tetapi fenomena yang tenang pula diumumkan oleh ahli nujum-peramal sebagai membawa hasil yang baik dan bertuah.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to sage Vashistha, in the standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Classify observed celestial/atmospheric phenomena into ‘inauspicious’ vs ‘auspicious’ based on their visible intensity (blazing vs calm) for decision-making (travel, rites, royal acts).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dīpta vs Śānta Nimitta-phala (Omen Results)","lookup_keywords":["dīpta","śānta","nimitta-phala","daiva-jñāna","śakuna"],"quick_summary":"A ‘blazing’ manifestation is read as yielding sinful/inauspicious results, while a ‘calm’ manifestation is read as auspicious. Use this as a first-pass rule before finer omen taxonomy."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: external signs are interpreted through observable qualities (tejas/saumyatā) to infer likely outcomes.
Application: Adopt a conservative rule: avoid initiating major acts under ‘dīpta’ signs; prefer ‘śānta’ signs for commencements and rites.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha (Daiva-jñāna / Omens and Portents)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two contrasting celestial signs: one blazing and harsh, another calm and gentle, with omen-readers/astrologers pointing and recording outcomes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, two-panel composition: left a blazing fiery celestial orb with sharp rays and anxious observers; right a calm soft-glowing orb with serene astrologers holding palm-leaf manuscripts; earthy reds, ochres, stylized faces, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central calm luminous sun-disc with gold foil halo and auspicious motifs; side vignette of blazing sun with darker tones; astrologer figures with ornate jewelry, rich textiles, embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional tableau: astrologer-diviner seated with jyotiṣa tools (palm-leaf, stylus, chart), pointing to two sky conditions labeled dīpta/śānta; delicate lines, soft shading, muted palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court astrologers on a terrace observing sky; one page margin shows blazing phenomenon, another calm; fine architectural detail, naturalistic sky gradations, meticulous costumes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śubhaphalaś caiva → śubhaphalaḥ ca eva; daivacintikaiḥ, daivajñaiḥ are instrumental plurals; pāpaphalo → pāpa-phalaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Jyotiṣa/Nimitta sections on graha-lakṣaṇa and śakuna-bheda (same khanda); Agni Purana chapters on muhūrta and kāla-nirṇaya (related temporal decision rules)
FAQs
It teaches a basic rule of daiva-lakṣaṇa (omen-reading): a “blazing/overly fiery” sign is read as inauspicious, while a “calm/pacified” sign is read as auspicious—guiding practical interpretation of observed phenomena.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana compiles applied knowledge systems; here it summarizes a Jyotiṣa/daiva principle used for decision-making (timing, assessment of signs), showing its wide-ranging, handbook-like scope.
It links observable signs to karmic outcomes: turbulent, “inflamed” indications warn of pāpa-phala (harmful results), while tranquillity signals śubha-phala (beneficial results), encouraging restraint and auspicious action.