Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 36
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
प्रतिकूलग्रहर्क्षात्तु तथा सम्मुखमारुतात् यात्राकाले रणे वापि छत्रादिपतनं भयं
pratikūlagraharkṣāttu tathā sammukhamārutāt yātrākāle raṇe vāpi chatrādipatanaṃ bhayaṃ
கிரகங்களும் நட்சத்திரங்களும் எதிர்மையாக இருந்து, எதிர்காற்றும் வீசினால், பயணம் செய்யும் வேளையிலோ போரிலோ குடை முதலியவை விழுதல் அச்சத்தின் அசுப நிமித்தமாகும்.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Assessing travel or battle risk by correlating adverse graha/nakshatra conditions and immediate environmental omens (headwind, objects falling) to decide postponement, propitiation, or heightened caution.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Adverse Graha–Nakshatra and Headwind as Yatra/Rana Bhaya-Śakuna","lookup_keywords":["pratikula-graha","pratikula-nakshatra","sammukha-maruta","yatra-shakuna","chhatra-patana"],"quick_summary":"When planets/lunar mansions are unfavorable and a headwind blows, travel or battle is marked by danger; falling of an umbrella and similar mishaps are treated as inauspicious portents."}
Concept: Heeding nimitta (omens) and cosmic order (graha/nakshatra) to avoid adharma-like rashness and prevent harm.
Application: Postpone departure, perform appeasement/auspicious rites, or adopt safer tactics when multiple adverse indicators converge.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha-Nimitta-Shastra (Omens for travel and warfare)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal party or army about to depart; the wind blows directly against them; an umbrella/standard slips and falls, while an astrologer points to an unfavorable sky-chart.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, stylized royal procession at the gate, headwind shown by streaming garments, fallen white umbrella near the chariot, court jyotishi indicating adverse grahas in a circular nakshatra chart, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on royal parasol and armor, dramatic moment of umbrella falling, astrologer with palm-leaf chart, rich reds and greens, temple-like arch framing the scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional composition: left panel shows adverse graha/nakshatra diagram, right panel shows headwind and fallen umbrella as omen, muted elegance and detailed faces","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed camp scene before march, fluttering banners against headwind, parasol toppled, astrologer with astrolabe-like chart, naturalistic horses and attendants, delicate landscape background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pratikūlagraharkṣāttu = pratikūla-graha-ṛkṣāt + tu; sammukhamārutāt = sammukha-mārutāt; yātrākāle = yātrā-kāle; vāpi = vā + api; chatrādipatanaṃ = chatra-ādi-patanam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Śakuna/Nimitta for yātrā and raṇa); Agni Purana 232 (Yātrā-maṇḍala and planetary conditions)
FAQs
It teaches nimitta-śāstra within jyotiṣa: adverse planetary/nakṣatra conditions and a head-on wind are treated as inauspicious indicators, with the practical omen being the falling of an umbrella or similar items during departure or battle.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge for real-life decision-making—travel and military readiness—by integrating astrology (graha-nakṣatra) with omen-reading (nimitta) as a guidance system.
By heeding inauspicious signs and avoiding or postponing risky action, one aligns conduct with dharmic prudence, reducing harm and the karmic consequences associated with avoidable danger.