Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 36
Mantra-paribhāṣā (मन्त्रपरिभाषा) — Colophon/Closure
प्रस्थाने मङ्गलं वाक्यं गर्जितं मेघहस्तिनोः प्रदक्षिणं फले वृक्षे वामस्य च रुतं जितं
prasthāne maṅgalaṃ vākyaṃ garjitaṃ meghahastinoḥ pradakṣiṇaṃ phale vṛkṣe vāmasya ca rutaṃ jitaṃ
ਰਵਾਨਗੀ ਵੇਲੇ ਮੰਗਲ ਬਚਨ, ਬੱਦਲਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਹਾਥੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਗੱਜਣਾ, ਪ੍ਰਦਕਸ਼ਿਣ (ਸੱਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ) ਨਿਮਿੱਤ, ਦਰੱਖਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਫਲ ਹੋਣਾ, ਅਤੇ ਖੱਬੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਤੋਂ ਪੰਛੀਆਂ ਆਦਿ ਦੀ ਆਵਾਜ਼—ਇਹ ਸਭ ਸ਼ੁਭ ਅਤੇ ਜਿੱਤ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਸ਼ਗੁਨ ਮੰਨੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (narrating the nimitta teachings to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Selecting auspicious departure moments and interpreting travel-omens (śakuna) to proceed confidently, postpone, or perform propitiatory acts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Prasthāna-śakuna: auspicious omens for departure and victory","lookup_keywords":["prasthana","shakuna","mangala-vakya","pradakshina","megha-hasti-garjita"],"quick_summary":"At departure, auspicious speech, thunder/elephant roars, rightward signs, fruit-bearing trees, and a left-side cry are counted as favorable—portending success and victory."}
Concept: Śakuna at liminal moments (prasthāna) is read as alignment with ṛta/fortune; rightward movement and auspicious sound signify unobstructed action.
Application: Before journeys/undertakings, listen for auspicious words and natural signs; if favorable, proceed; if not, delay or perform simple śānti (pacification) rites.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-śāstra (Śakuna & Omens for Travel and Auspicious Acts)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler/army sets out: someone speaks auspicious words; clouds rumble like thunder; elephants trumpet; a rightward sign appears; a fruit-laden tree stands; a bird cries from the left—interpreted as victory.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, procession at departure with elephants, dark monsoon clouds with stylized thunder, fruiting tree, a bird on the left calling, a priest blessing with mangala-vākya, bold flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ceremonial departure with gold accents on elephant caparisons, auspicious speech shown as a scroll-like banner, fruit tree and rightward symbol, rich reds and gold leaf highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative yet instructional travel-omen tableau, clear left/right indicators, labeled auspicious signs, soft shading and neat composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed caravan/army departure, elephants and attendants, dramatic cloudscape, fruit tree, small bird on left margin, refined detailing and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: meghahastinoḥ → megha-hastinoḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 293 (nimitta-śāstra: śakuna for travel/acts)
FAQs
It teaches prasthāna-śakuna (departure-omens): auspicious speech, thunder/elephant roars, rightward (pradakṣiṇa) indications, fruit-bearing trees, and certain left-side calls are taken as favorable signs for success.
By codifying practical omen-reading for travel and undertakings, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—into applied nimitta-śāstra used in daily decision-making, timing, and risk assessment.
Following auspicious omens aligns action with dharmic order (śubha-nimitta), supporting a sattvic beginning to an undertaking and traditionally believed to aid success and reduce obstacles.