Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Chapter 228 — स्वप्नाध्यायः
Svapnādhāyaḥ / Chapter on Dreams
एकस्यामथ चेद्रात्रौ शुभं वा यदि वाशुभं पश्चादृष्टस्तु यस्तत्र तस्य पाकं विनिर्दिशेत्
ekasyāmatha cedrātrau śubhaṃ vā yadi vāśubhaṃ paścādṛṣṭastu yastatra tasya pākaṃ vinirdiśet
ஒரே இரவில் சுபமோ அசுபமோ எனும் நிமித்தம் தோன்றினால், அதன் பின் அங்கே காணப்படுவதைக் கொண்டு அதன் பலன் ‘பாகம்’ (முதிர்ச்சி) சிறப்பாக நிர்ணயிக்க வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s prognostic/śakuna material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Rule for interpreting a night-omen: determine the phala by considering the subsequent sight/occurrence after the initial omen within the same night.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rātri-śakuna-phala-nirdeśa (Night-omen result by subsequent sign)","lookup_keywords":["rātri-śakuna","śubha-aśubha","paścād-dṛṣṭa","phala-nirdeśa","pāka"],"quick_summary":"When an omen appears in a single night, the prediction should be refined by what is seen afterward; the later sign acts as the confirmer/modifier of the earlier omen."}
Concept: Interpretation depends on context and sequence (krama): later phenomena can qualify earlier signs.
Application: In practical divination, record the first sign and the immediately following sign; base the final forecast on the combined sequence rather than a single datum.
Khanda Section: Jyotiṣa / Śakuna-śāstra (omens and prognostication)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night scene where an observer notes an initial omen (bird call/animal movement) and then watches a second sign afterward, while an astrologer interprets the combined sequence on a manuscript.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, deep indigo night, stylized birds/animals as omens, a lamp-lit veranda with a jyotiṣi writing, emphasis on sequential panels (first sign, then later sign).","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold highlights on lamp flame and manuscript, two vignette medallions showing first and subsequent omen, central figure indicating that the later sight determines the final phala.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition with labeled steps: 'śakuna' then 'paścād-dṛṣṭa', calm teacher explaining to a listener under moonlight.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, moonlit courtyard, observer and scholar, delicate rendering of animals/birds, marginal annotations indicating auspicious/inauspicious and the later confirming sign."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एकस्याम् + अथ → एकस्यामथ; चेत् + रात्रौ → चेद्रात्रौ; वा + अशुभम् → वाशुभम्; दृष्टः + तु → दृष्टस्तु; विनिर्दिशेत् is finite verb (ni-vi-diś, optative).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 228 (śakuna-śāstra rules and phala-pāka discussion)
FAQs
It gives a śakuna (omen) rule: when an auspicious or inauspicious sign is seen during the same night, the prognosticator should determine the final outcome based on the subsequent sign observed afterward.
Beyond theology and worship, the Agni Purana also preserves applied knowledge like prognostication (śakuna/jyotiṣa). This verse exemplifies practical decision-rules for interpreting signs—one of the many non-ritual, technical domains included in the text.
It frames omen-reading as a disciplined interpretive practice: outcomes are understood as ‘ripening’ (pāka) of causes, and correct discernment is presented as a way to act in alignment with dharma by responding appropriately to indications of favorable or unfavorable fruition.