Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 26
Utpāta-śānti
Pacification of Portents
आकाशे तूर्यनादाश् च महद्भयमुपस्थितं प्रविशन्ति यदा ग्राममारण्या मृगपक्षिणः
ākāśe tūryanādāś ca mahadbhayamupasthitaṃ praviśanti yadā grāmamāraṇyā mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ
आकाशे तूर्यनादाश्च यदा स्युः, महद्भयमुपस्थितम्। अरण्यजा मृगपक्षिणो यदा ग्रामं प्रविशन्ति तदा॥
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Public-safety and governance alerting: interpret aerial sounds and abnormal animal migration into settlements as imminent danger requiring preparedness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ākāśa-tūrya-nāda and araṇya-mṛga-pakṣiṇāṃ grāma-praveśa as mahad-bhaya nimitta","lookup_keywords":["nimitta","utpāta","ākāśa-śabda","tūrya-nāda","mṛga-pakṣi-praveśa"],"quick_summary":"Skyborne drum/trumpet-like sounds and forest animals/birds entering a village are read as portents of near and great danger. Administrators should treat these as early-warning signs."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: reading environmental anomalies as actionable knowledge for protection of society.
Application: Use unusual sounds and animal movements as triggers for risk assessment, evacuation planning, and heightened security.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-śāstra (Omens and Portents) / Rāja-dharma Auxiliary (Public safety signs)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Settlement/Forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A village under a strange sky where unseen drums seem to sound; startled villagers look upward; deer and birds stream from the forest into the streets; watchmen raise alarms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic sky with stylized sound-waves, villagers pointing upward, forest animals entering the grāma, temple lamp and gate as reference points, heightened ominous palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-accented sky with symbolic sound motifs, village scene with animals crossing boundary, ornate architecture, figures in alarm, auspicious/inauspicious icon markers.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative panel—left forest, right village; arrows showing animal movement; villagers and guards responding; instructional caption-like composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed streetscape, animals and birds entering, people reacting, subtle depiction of ‘sky-sound’ via cloud forms and musicians-in-cloud metaphor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महत्भयम् = महत् + भयम् (व्यञ्जन-सन्धिः: त् + भ → द्भ). भयमुपस्थितम् = भयम् + उपस्थितम् (म् + उ → मुप्). ग्राममारण्याः = ग्रामम् + अरण्याः (म् + अ → मा).
Related Themes: Agni Purana—Nimitta/Śakuna chapters surrounding 262.xx on utpāta-lakṣaṇa; Agni Purana—Rājadharma sections on janapada-rakṣā
FAQs
It imparts Nimitta-śāstra: recognizing calamity-omens—unearthly sky-sounds and abnormal movement of forest animals/birds into human settlements—as practical warning signs of imminent danger.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana includes applied knowledge for governance and daily life; this verse functions like an early risk-signal manual, cataloging observable omens to anticipate threats (disaster, disturbance, or mass panic) and respond prudently.
Spiritually, it encourages alertness (apramāda) and timely protective action; heeding dharmic warnings and safeguarding community life is treated as righteous conduct that reduces harm and supports collective well-being.