Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 29
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
वामपादेन च तथा विलिखंश् च वसुन्धरां स्वपेद्वा वामपार्श्वेन दिवा वा न शुभप्रदः
vāmapādena ca tathā vilikhaṃś ca vasundharāṃ svapedvā vāmapārśvena divā vā na śubhapradaḥ
Do mesmo modo, quem arranha ou marca o chão com o pé esquerdo, ou dorme de lado esquerdo, ou dorme durante o dia, não é considerado auspicioso (não traz bons resultados).
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Daily conduct (achara) and inauspicious habits used as behavioral correction and as omens for planning travel, rituals, and important actions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ācāra-apashakuna: Left-foot scratching, left-side sleep, daytime sleep","lookup_keywords":["achara","apashakuna","vama-pada","vama-parshva","diva-svapna"],"quick_summary":"Certain everyday actions—scratching the earth with the left foot, sleeping on the left side, and sleeping in daytime—are marked as inauspicious and discouraged before important undertakings."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Ācāra (regulated conduct) supports auspiciousness and steadiness; avoid tamasic/slothful patterns.
Application: Before rituals/travel/decisions, keep wakefulness, right-sided alertness, and mindful posture; correct habits that signal lethargy or disorder.
Khanda Section: Dharma-Śāstra / Ācāra (Daily conduct and omens)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A person marks the ground with the left foot, then lies sleeping on the left side, then sleeps in daytime—elders indicate these are inauspicious habits.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three-scene narrative in one frame, bold gestures: left foot scratching earth, reclining on left side, daytime nap under bright sun motif, elders advising.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold on floor patterns and textiles, central figure in three vignettes, auspicious symbols dimmed to show inauspiciousness, domestic setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional triptych layout, clear body postures labeled implicitly, soft palette, emphasis on conduct correction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard with patterned ground, figure scratching earth with left foot, then resting on left side on a charpai, midday light, observers gesturing admonition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vilikhaṃś ca → vilikhan ca; svapedvā → svapet vā (euphonic combination in transmission).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Ācāra and nimitta)
FAQs
It teaches ācāra-lakṣaṇa (codes of conduct and omens): avoid inauspicious behaviors such as scraping the earth with the left foot, sleeping on the left side, and daytime sleep.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical dharma guidance—household etiquette, omen-reading, and daily-regimen rules—showing the Purana’s coverage of lived conduct alongside ritual and philosophy.
The verse frames these actions as aśubha (inauspicious), implying they tend to obstruct favorable outcomes and should be avoided to maintain orderly, merit-supporting daily life.