Shloka 31
Dhvaja–Dhūmra–Paśu-Ākṛti Śakuna: Interpreting Banner, Smoke, and Animal-Form Omens by Stations
गजस्थाने गजं दृष्ट्वा क्षेत्रधान्यसुखादिकम् / गजस्थानेस्थिते ध्वाङ्क्षे धनधान्यसमागमः
gajasthāne gajaṃ dṛṣṭvā kṣetradhānyasukhādikam / gajasthānesthite dhvāṅkṣe dhanadhānyasamāgamaḥ
Di tempat gajah, apabila terlihat gajah, diperoleh ladang, hasil padi, kesenangan dan seumpamanya. Dan apabila seekor gagak berada di tempat gajah itu, maka harta dan bekalan makanan akan berhimpun serta bertambah.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Concept: Nimitta-śāstra: reading signs to anticipate outcomes and act prudently.
Vedantic Theme: Prārabdha and karma-phala manifest through observable nimittas; cultivate viveka without attachment.
Application: Treat repeated auspicious signs as a cue to consolidate resources (fields, grain), practice gratitude and charity, and avoid rash ventures.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: omen-locus/household-or-village precinct
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (nimitta/śakuna section: animal-place correspondences and results)
FAQs
This verse treats sightings and placements of animals as nimitta (omens) that indicate likely outcomes—here, prosperity such as land, grain, and comforts—used for practical decision-making and ritual timing.
It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it belongs to an omens-and-results style teaching, reflecting how karma’s fruits are read through signs in the living world.
Treat it as a traditional indicator of auspiciousness: when seeking stability (land, food security, prosperity), cultivate dharma—charity, honesty, and right livelihood—rather than relying only on signs.