Shloka 26

Dhvaja–Dhūmra–Paśu-Ākṛti Śakuna: Interpreting Banner, Smoke, and Animal-Form Omens by Stations

Devanagari script

खरस्थाने वृषं दृष्ट्वा सुखं प्रियसमागमः / खरस्थाने खरं दृष्ट्वा दुः खीपीडादि निर्दिशेत्

Transliteration

kharasthāne vṛṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā sukhaṃ priyasamāgamaḥ / kharasthāne kharaṃ dṛṣṭvā duḥ khīpīḍādi nirdiśet

Translation

खरस्थाने वृषं दृष्ट्वा सुखं प्रियसमागमः। तत्रैव खरं दृष्ट्वा दुःखं पीडा-ताडनादिकं निर्दिशेत्॥

Word by Word

• खरस्थाने: in the place/sign of the donkey
• खरस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (खरस्य स्थानम्)

• वृषम्: a bull
• वृषम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verbal action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having seen’

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; फलवाचकं (result)

• प्रियसमागमः: meeting with what is dear/pleasant reunion
• प्रियसमागमः: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिय-समागम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषभावः (प्रियः समागमः)

• खरस्थाने: in the place/sign of the donkey
• खरस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• खरम्: a donkey
• खरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verbal action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund)

• दुःखीपीडादि: misery, affliction, etc.
• दुःखीपीडादि: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःखी-पीडा-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; समासः इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (दुःखी च पीडा च आदि च)

• निर्दिशेत्: should indicate/predict
• निर्दिशेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√दिश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nimitta (omens) as indicators of forthcoming sukha/duḥkha shaped by prior causes.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala and the transience of worldly states; events arise from causes beyond immediate perception.

Application: Use discernment and restraint when encountering ominous signs; respond with prayer, charity, and prudent planning rather than panic.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: omenic directional/positional locus (kharasthana)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (nimitta/śakuna-phalāni sequence: kharasthāna, gajasthāna, etc.)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of omens like seeing a bull or donkey in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats such sightings as symbolic indicators: a bull suggests auspicious outcomes like happiness and reunion, while a donkey suggests impending distress and affliction.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader guidance on life and fate?

It reflects the text’s instructional style—mapping observed signs to likely experiences—so a practitioner can remain alert, strengthen dharmic conduct, and prepare mentally for outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a prompt for self-correction: when signs feel unfavorable, respond with steadiness, prayer/charity, and ethical action rather than fear; when favorable, remain grateful and disciplined.