Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 2
Chapter 229 — शकुनानि (Śakuna: Omens)
अङ्गारं गुडसर्जौ च मुण्डाभ्यक्तञ्च नग्नकं अयः पङ्कं चर्मकेशौ उन्मत्तञ्च नपुंसकं
aṅgāraṃ guḍasarjau ca muṇḍābhyaktañca nagnakaṃ ayaḥ paṅkaṃ carmakeśau unmattañca napuṃsakaṃ
ਅੰਗਾਰ (ਕੋਲਾ); ਗੁੜ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਲ; ਮੁੰਡਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ, ਤੇਲ ਲਾਇਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਨੰਗਾ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ; ਲੋਹਾ ਅਤੇ ਕੀਚੜ; ਚਮੜਾ ਅਤੇ ਵਾਲ; ਅਤੇ ਉਨਮੱਤ ਤੇ ਨਪੁੰਸਕ—(ਇਸ ਸੰਦਰਭ ਵਿੱਚ) ਅਸ਼ੁਭ/ਅਸ਼ੌਚਕਰ ਮੰਨੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, per the common Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Ritual eligibility screening: avoid or counteract inauspicious encounters/objects/persons during puja, śrāddha, consecrations, and beginnings of journeys or royal acts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Aśubha/Anucita Nimitta: Charcoal, Jaggery-Resin, Shaven/Oiled/Naked Persons, Iron, Mud, Leather, Hair, Mad and Eunuch","lookup_keywords":["aśubha-lakṣaṇa","aśauca","anucita-darśana","śakuna","śauca"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates objects and persons treated as ritually unsuitable/inauspicious when encountered at the start of rites; the list guides avoidance, postponement, or expiatory measures."}
Concept: Śauca and saṃskāra-protection: guarding rites from inauspicious contact and disruptive liminal signs.
Application: If such items/persons are first encountered, postpone the act or perform śānti (purificatory sprinkling, mantra-japa, offering) per local tradition.
Khanda Section: Ritual Purity & Inauspicious Omens (Shakuna/Ashaucha-Nishedha)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A threshold scene where a ritual is about to begin, but inauspicious items appear: charcoal and iron pieces, mud and leather, hair tufts; figures depicted as shaven-headed, oil-smeared, or naked; a disturbed madman; a eunuch—signaling postponement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple doorway with priest pausing, stylized inauspicious objects (charcoal, iron, mud, leather, hair) arranged in foreground; figures shown symbolically (shaven head, oil sheen); strong outlines, muted ominous tones, traditional border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: narrative panel—priest halting the rite at the doorway; gold-highlighted ritual vessels contrasted with dark charcoal/iron; inauspicious figures at edge; ornate frame, rich reds, controlled symbolism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional ‘do-not’ chart with labeled icons—aṅgāra, ayas, paṅka, carma, keśa—and small human figures indicating states (muṇḍa, abhyakta, nagna, unmattaka, napuṃsaka); clean composition, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: street outside a shrine; detailed textures of mud, iron tools, leather bundle, charcoal; expressive figures; the officiant gestures to stop; subdued palette with precise detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मुण्डाभ्यक्तञ्च = मुण्डाभ्यक्तम् + च (म् + च → ञ्च); उन्मत्तञ्च = उन्मत्तम् + च (म् + च → ञ्च)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 229: subsequent śakuna lists and remedial śānti measures (contextual continuation)
FAQs
It enumerates substances and categories of persons treated as ritually unsuitable/inauspicious for certain ceremonial actions (e.g., proximity, contact, or use as ritual materials), functioning as a nishedha (prohibition) list for maintaining śauca (ritual cleanliness).
Alongside theology and mythology, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharma-style guidance—cataloging items/persons to avoid in rites—showing its compendium character that spans ritual law, social categories, and applied religious practice.
Following such avoidance rules is presented as supporting ritual efficacy and purity (śauca), reducing doṣa (ritual fault) and thereby protecting the performer from negative karmic or inauspicious outcomes associated with defective observance.