Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 26
Adhyaya 165 — नानाधर्माः
Various Dharmas
भासो विंशतिवर्षाणि सूकरो दशभिस् तथा अपुष्पो विफलो वृक्षो जायते कण्टकावृतः
bhāso viṃśativarṣāṇi sūkaro daśabhis tathā apuṣpo viphalo vṛkṣo jāyate kaṇṭakāvṛtaḥ
భాస (గద్ద/చిలుక) ఇరవై సంవత్సరాలు జీవిస్తుంది, అలాగే సూకరం పది సంవత్సరాలు. ముళ్లతో కప్పబడిన వృక్షం పుష్పరహితంగా, ఫలరహితంగా పుడుతుంది।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Nimitta-style observation: lifespan notes for creatures and omen-like botanical signs (thorny, flowerless, fruitless tree) used in prognostics and interpretive lore.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nimitta notes: lifespans of bhāsa and sūkara; thorny tree as sterile sign","lookup_keywords":["nimitta","bhāsa lifespan","sūkara lifespan","thorny tree","apushpa viphalavṛkṣa"],"quick_summary":"Gives traditional lifespan measures for a kite and a boar, and describes a thorn-covered tree as naturally flowerless and fruitless—material for omen-reading and natural-history lore."}
Concept: Reading patterns in nature (animals, trees) as meaningful indicators; cataloguing the world as a knowable order.
Application: In nimitta practice, unusual sterility in trees or notable animal appearances can be treated as signs; also supports practical natural-history expectations.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Nimitta-shastra (Omens, portents, and prognostics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A natural-history/omen scene: a kite in the sky, a boar in the underbrush, and a thorny tree shown barren—no flowers or fruits—emphasizing the sign-like quality of sterility.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized forest panel with bhāsa bird in flight, sūkara boar near shrubs, thorn-covered barren tree central, decorative foliage motifs and flat color fields.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central barren thorny tree with gold-highlighted thorns, kite above with ornate wings, boar below, rich background with gilded accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean illustrative nature study, labeled-like clarity, fine brushwork on thorns and leaves, balanced composition for instructional nimitta depiction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic bird and boar rendering, detailed botanical study of thorny tree without blossoms/fruits, soft landscape gradients and precise naturalism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viṃśativarṣāṇi treated as dvigu compound viṃśati-varṣāṇi. kaṇṭakāvṛtaḥ → kaṇṭaka-āvṛtaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 165 (Jyotiṣa & nimitta subsection)
FAQs
It conveys nimitta-style observational knowledge: characteristic lifespans of certain animals and a natural sign (thorn-covered trees tending to be flowerless/fruitless), used in traditional prognostics and practical interpretation of environmental signs.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana includes compact notes on worldly knowledge—here, zoological lifespan traditions and botanical characterization—reflecting its broad, reference-like scope typical of Purāṇic compendia.
By training attention to signs in nature, the text supports discernment (viveka) in choosing favorable times/conditions and avoiding inauspicious settings—an applied dharmic habit aimed at reducing harm and aligning actions with auspicious order.