Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 21
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
भयाय स्वामिनि ज्ञेयमनिमित्तं रुतङ्गवां निशि चौरभयाय स्याद्विकृतं मृत्यवे तथा
bhayāya svāmini jñeyamanimittaṃ rutaṅgavāṃ niśi caurabhayāya syādvikṛtaṃ mṛtyave tathā
स्वामिनो भयहेतुत्वं ज्ञेयम् अनिमित्तं रुतं श्वनाम्। निशि चौरभयं सूच्याद् विकृतं तु मृत्यवे तथा॥
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Interpreting canine vocalizations as immediate risk indicators for household security and royal/elite protection (danger, theft, death-omen) and adjusting vigilance accordingly.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śvāna-ruta-śakuna (Dog-howling omens)","lookup_keywords":["śvāna-ruta","animittta","cora-bhaya","vikṛta-śabda","mṛtyu-nimitta"],"quick_summary":"Uncaused dog-howling signals danger to the master; at night it specifically warns of thieves. A distorted/abnormal howl is treated as a death-omen, prompting heightened protection and ritual caution."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: reading external signs to manage worldly risk and duty of protection.
Application: Increase guards, secure gates/treasury, avoid travel, perform protective rites when such omens occur—especially at night.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Shakuna-vidya (Omens and portents)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night courtyard outside a noble house: dogs howling toward darkness; guards alerted; a shadowy thief presence implied; the master inside shown anxious; one dog’s howl depicted as distorted/unnatural to signify death-omen.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, night courtyard with stylized dogs howling, oil-lamp glow, palace guards with spears alerted, ominous dark grove beyond, traditional ornamented architecture, high-contrast expressive eyes","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on palace pillars and lamps, central noble figure receiving omen report, dogs at threshold howling, rich reds and greens, embossed ornaments, auspicious/inauspicious symbolism subtly contrasted","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, narrative panel: dog howling at night, guard captain instructing increased watch, calm composition with clear didactic focus, soft shading and muted palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed night scene with architectural precision, dogs howling, guards with lanterns, a thief silhouette near a wall, fine textiles on the master, cool blues for night with warm lamp light"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ज्ञेयम् + अनिमित्तम् → ज्ञेयमनिमित्तम्; स्यात् + विकृतम् → स्याद्विकृतम्; रुत + अङ्गवाम् → रुतङ्गवाम् (समास/सन्धि); चौर + भयाय → चौरभयाय (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Śakuna/Nimitta-prakaraṇa)
FAQs
It teaches shakuna–nimitta interpretation: causeless dog howling is read as an omen—danger to the householder, theft-risk at night, and death when the cry is distorted.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs practical applied knowledge such as Jyotisha-based omen reading for day-to-day risk assessment (security, misfortune, mortality).
Recognizing ominous signs is meant to prompt timely precautions and propitiatory acts (śānti), reducing harm and aligning household conduct with dharmic vigilance.