Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
भयाय दक्षिणं चाङ्गं तथा भुजमदक्षिणं यात्राघातकरो यातुर्भवेत् प्रतिमुखागतः
bhayāya dakṣiṇaṃ cāṅgaṃ tathā bhujamadakṣiṇaṃ yātrāghātakaro yāturbhavet pratimukhāgataḥ
ਯਾਤਰੀ ਲਈ ਸਰੀਰ ਦੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਅੰਗ ਦਾ ਫੜਕਣਾ ਡਰ ਦਾ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਖੱਬੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਦਾ ਫੜਕਣਾ ਵੀ ਅਸ਼ੁਭ ਹੈ। ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਤੋਂ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਯਾਤਰਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੁਕਾਵਟ ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Journey-augury: interpret bodily omens and oncoming encounters to decide whether to proceed, pause, or take precautions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Yātrā-śakuna: aṅga-nimitta and pratīmukha-āgama (obstacle from the front)","lookup_keywords":["yatra shakuna","anga nimitta","dakshina vama","pratimukha","journey obstacle"],"quick_summary":"If fear-omens arise on the right side and the left arm is inauspicious, an oncoming person from the front is read as a journey-hindrance; delay or alter the route."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna as pragmatic risk-management in travel.
Application: When multiple adverse signs cluster, suspend action, seek propitiation, or choose an alternate timing/route.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-shastra (Omens & Journey-Augury / Shakuna)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler pauses as his right side shows a fear-omen and his left arm is marked inauspicious; an oncoming stranger approaches directly from the front, symbolizing an obstacle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, traveler with staff and bundle on a forest road, subtle gesture to right side and left arm, an oncoming figure centered as pratīmukha, auspicious/inauspicious motifs in borders, traditional temple mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, traveler at a crossroads with ornate gold leaf highlights on garments and road ornaments, frontal oncoming person as obstacle, symbolic right/left side markers, rich red and green palette, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau: traveler figure labeled right/left, oncoming person in front, clean lines, soft shading, didactic layout with minimal background, classical Mysore palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape road scene, traveler noticing bodily omen, oncoming courtly figure from front, fine brushwork, naturalistic trees and path, subtle tension in posture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाङ्गम् = च + अङ्गम्; भुजमदक्षिणम् = भुजम् + अदक्षिणम्; यातुर्भवेत् = यातुः + भवेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Nimitta-śāstra: yātrā-śakuna)
FAQs
It teaches yātrā-nimitta (journey-augury): bodily side/arm omens and the prognostic meaning of a person approaching from the front as a potential impediment to travel.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical applied knowledge—here, nimitta-śāstra for decision-making in travel—showing its wide coverage of day-to-day predictive disciplines alongside ritual and dharma.
Observing omens is framed as prudent, dharmic caution: avoiding inauspicious encounters and timing reduces harm and supports a safer, orderly course of action aligned with cosmic signs.