Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 12
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
कोटरे वासमानश् च महानर्थकरो भवेत् न शुभस्तूषरे काकः पङ्काङ्कः स तु शस्यते
koṭare vāsamānaś ca mahānarthakaro bhavet na śubhastūṣare kākaḥ paṅkāṅkaḥ sa tu śasyate
Sesiapa yang tinggal di dalam rongga atau lubang akan menjadi punca besar kemalangan. Gagak yang hinggap di atas jerami kering tidak membawa tuah; tetapi gagak yang bertanda lumpur (yakni datang dari tanah basah) dianggap baik.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purāṇa narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Interpreting everyday signs (dwelling places, bird behavior) as auspicious/inauspicious for decisions; cultivating alertness to environmental cues.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Auspiciousness of crow-appearance: dry chaff vs mud-marked; misfortune from dwelling in hollows","lookup_keywords":["kotara-vasa","kaka-shakuna","ushara","panka-anka","subhashita"],"quick_summary":"Living in a hollow/cavity is framed as misfortune-causing; a crow seen on dry chaff is inauspicious, while a mud-marked crow is taken as favorable—signs are read by context and condition."}
Alamkara Type: Vyatireka
Concept: Context determines the valence of signs; external conditions mirror likely outcomes and guide cautious action.
Application: Do not ignore situational qualifiers (place/condition) when judging omens; prefer ‘wet/fruitful’ indicators over ‘dry/barren’ ones in timing actions.
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Subhāṣita (Ethics & proverbial instruction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A hollow tree/cavity as an ominous dwelling; nearby, a crow perched on dry chaff looks harsh, while another crow with mud on its feet/feathers appears near wet ground, suggesting favor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized tree with dark hollow, figure indicating misfortune, two crows contrasted—one on pale dry chaff, one with mud marks near a wet patch, symbolic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on the favorable crow, textured chaff bundle, ornate framing, clear contrast between dry barren ground and moist fertile ground, didactic scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine lines, two-panel instructional layout: kotara-dweller as inauspicious, crow-on-chaff vs mud-marked crow as auspicious, soft washes","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic birds, detailed straw heap and muddy bank, a hollow in a tree trunk, courtly observer interpreting the signs"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महानर्थकरः = महान् + अर्थ + करः; शुभस्तूषरे = शुभः + तूषरे; पङ्काङ्कः = पङ्क + अङ्कः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (bird and place-omens; subhāṣita-like nimitta rules)
FAQs
It conveys nīti-based omen-reading: certain appearances/contexts (e.g., a crow on dry chaff vs. mud-marked) are interpreted as inauspicious or auspicious for practical decision-making.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied cultural knowledge—ethics, folk-omens, and everyday prognostics—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s wide scope as a compendium of practical instruction.
It encourages attentive, disciplined conduct (avoiding inauspicious situations and heeding signs), aligning one’s actions with dharmic prudence to reduce harm and invite welfare.