Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 26
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
जलोपवेशनं नेष्टं भूमौ च परिवर्तनं विपत्करन्तुरङ्गस्य सुप्तं वाप्यनिमित्ततः
jalopaveśanaṃ neṣṭaṃ bhūmau ca parivartanaṃ vipatkaranturaṅgasya suptaṃ vāpyanimittataḥ
ਪਾਣੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੈਠਣਾ ਅਸ਼ੁਭ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਲੋਟਣਾ ਵੀ ਅਸ਼ੁਭ ਹੈ। ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਸਰੀਰ ਵਿਪੱਤੀ ਵੱਲ ਵਧ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਉਸ ਲਈ ਬਿਨਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਆਈ ਨੀਂਦ ਵੀ ਅਪਸ਼ਕੁਨ ਮੰਨੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Arishta-lakshana (fatal/inauspicious prognostics) used by physician and family to judge severity, prognosis, and whether to intensify care or prepare rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Arishta: Inauspicious behaviors—water-sitting, ground-rolling, causeless sleep","lookup_keywords":["arishta-lakshana","apashakuna","jalopaveshana","bhumi-parivartana","animitta-nidra"],"quick_summary":"Certain sudden, abnormal behaviors—sitting immersed in water, rolling on the ground, and sleep without cause—are treated as ominous prognostic signs indicating impending calamity or decline."}
Concept: Nimitta/arishta as practical indicators of impending harm; heed observable signs over complacency.
Application: Use observable anomalies as decision-triggers: stop risky activity, call help, intensify protection and care.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Nidanachikitsa (Health conduct and prognostics)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worried household observes a person unusually sitting in water, then rolling on the ground, then falling into causeless sleep—interpreted as ominous prognostic signs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, traditional interiors near a water tank, attendants with expressive eyes, the patient seated in water then reclining, symbolic dark clouds of inauspiciousness, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on vessels and ornaments, a domestic courtyard with a water trough, figures in stylized poses showing concern, auspicious/inauspicious motifs contrasted.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional panel-like composition showing three vignettes: water-sitting, ground-rolling, causeless sleep; captions implied; calm but ominous palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard and water basin, physicians and family observing, three sequential moments in one frame, fine textiles, subdued ominous atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: jalopaveśanaṃ → jala-upaveśanam; neṣṭaṃ → na iṣṭam; vāpyanimittataḥ → vā api animittataḥ; vipatkaranturaṅgasya treated as a tatpuruṣa compound in genitive singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Arishta/Nimitta section)
FAQs
It teaches Ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇa (prognostic omens): certain abnormal behaviors—sitting in water, rolling on the ground, and causeless sleep—are treated as warning signs of impending danger or illness.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied Ayurvedic-style prognostics (nidāna/ariṣṭa), showing the Purana’s coverage of practical health observation and risk-sign assessment alongside religious instruction.
By recognizing inauspicious signs early, one can take corrective action—self-restraint, purification, prayer, charity, and appropriate care—thereby reducing harm and aligning conduct with dharma.