Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 38
Mantra-paribhāṣā (मन्त्रपरिभाषा) — Colophon/Closure
वेश्या क्षुतो नृपः कन्या गौर्दन्ती मुरजध्वजौ क्षीराज्यदधिशङ्खाम्बु छत्रं भेरी फलं सुराः
veśyā kṣuto nṛpaḥ kanyā gaurdantī murajadhvajau kṣīrājyadadhiśaṅkhāmbu chatraṃ bherī phalaṃ surāḥ
Uma cortesã; um espirro; um rei; uma donzela; uma vaca; um elefante; um tambor e um estandarte; leite, ghee, coalhada, uma concha e água; um guarda-sol; um tambor de guerra; fruta; e bebida inebriante — tais são os itens aqui contados entre os sinais de presságio (nimitta).
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s nimitta/śakuna material to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Cataloging nimitta-dravya/ākāra: recognizing persons, animals, and objects encountered at the outset of an act as prognostic indicators for success, gain, or auspiciousness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Nimitta-saṅgraha: persons, animals, and auspicious objects","lookup_keywords":["nimitta","veśyā","nṛpa","kanyā","śaṅkha","chatra"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates a standard set of omen-items—certain persons (courtesan, king, maiden), animals (cow, elephant), and auspicious objects (drum, banner, dairy, conch, water, umbrella, kettle-drum, fruit, liquor)—to be read contextually as signs."}
Concept: Saṅketa-jñāna: the world is read as a field of indicators; meaning is assigned by tradition and context at the moment of undertaking.
Application: Before starting a task, note first encounters (darśana/śravaṇa) and align timing/intent accordingly—proceed when auspicious clusters appear, postpone when contrary signs dominate.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-śāstra (Śakuna & Svapna-phala) / Omens and prognostics
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequence of omen-encounters: a courtesan passing, a king in procession, a maiden, a cow and elephant, drums and banners, vessels of milk/ghee/curd and water, a conch, umbrella, kettle-drum, fruit and wine—presented as a didactic array.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, frieze-like procession of nimitta symbols: royal palanquin, maiden with lamp, cow and elephant, drummers with dhvaja, conch and water pot, umbrella bearer, fruit tray and wine vessel; saturated colors, bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central auspicious assemblage on a pedestal: śaṅkha, kalaśa of water, dairy pots, fruit, chatra and dhvaja behind; gold embossing on vessels and ornaments; side vignettes of king, maiden, cow, elephant.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, chart-like composition with neatly separated panels for each nimitta item (veśyā, kṣut, nṛpa, kanyā, go, dantī, mṛdaṅga, dhvaja, kṣīra/ājya/dadhi, śaṅkha, ambu, chatra, bherī, phala, surā); fine linework and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling street scene at the start of a journey: royal retinue with banner and umbrella, drummers, an elephant, a cow nearby, a maiden at a doorway, a vendor with dairy pots and fruit, a conch by a priest; intricate urban detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaurdantī → gauḥ + dantī (visarga sandhi/orthographic joining).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 293 (nimitta lists and śakuna-phala)
FAQs
It catalogues specific persons, objects, and sounds treated as nimittas (omen-signs) within Nimitta-śāstra/Śakuna practice—i.e., what encounters or sights are to be noted for prognostication.
By preserving a compact, technical inventory used in applied divination (omens), it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—into practical arts like prognostics, ritual timing, and decision-making signs.
Observing nimittas is traditionally linked with acting in harmony with dharma and auspicious timing; it is presented as a way to avoid inauspicious action and align one’s choices with ritually and karmically favorable conditions.