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
କୋଟରେ ବସୁଥିବା ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ମହା ଅନର୍ଥର କାରଣ ହୁଏ। ଶୁଖିଲା ତୁଷର ଉପରେ ବସିଥିବା କାଉ ଶୁଭ ନୁହେଁ; କିନ୍ତୁ କାଦୁଆ ଚିହ୍ନିତ (ଭିଜା ଭୂମିରୁ ଆସିଥିବା) କାଉ ଶୁଭ ମନାଯାଏ।
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.