Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
प्रयातस्याग्रतो राम मृगः प्राणहरो भवेत् ऋक्षाखुजम्बुकव्याघ्रसिंहमार्जारगर्दभाः
prayātasyāgrato rāma mṛgaḥ prāṇaharo bhavet ṛkṣākhujambukavyāghrasiṃhamārjāragardabhāḥ
ఓ రామా! ప్రయాణానికి బయలుదేరినవాడి ముందర మార్గాన్ని అడ్డుకుంటూ జంతువు కనిపిస్తే అది ప్రాణహర అశుభ శకునం; ఎలుగుబంటి, ఎలుక, నక్క, పులి, సింహం, పిల్లి, గాడిద మొదలైనవి।
Lord Agni (in instruction addressed to Rāma, within the chapter’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Pre-departure risk screening: if certain animals block the path ahead, treat it as a danger-sign and avoid proceeding or perform protective measures.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Prayāṇa-āvaraṇa-śakuna: life-threatening animals seen in front","lookup_keywords":["prayāṇa","agrataḥ-mṛga","prāṇahara-śakuna","ṛkṣa-jambuka-vyāghra","mārjāra-gardabha"],"quick_summary":"When setting out, an animal appearing directly in front is read as a potentially life-threatening omen; a list of especially ominous creatures is given."}
Concept: Heed portents at liminal moments (departure) to protect life (prāṇa-rakṣaṇa) and avoid reckless action.
Application: Postpone travel, change route, increase escort/security, or undertake protective rites when such blocking-omens occur.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-śāstra (Omens and prognostics for travel and conduct)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler begins a journey; directly ahead on the road stand ominous animals—bear, mouse, jackal, tiger, lion, cat, donkey—forming a symbolic blockade while the traveler halts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal procession halted at a gateway, stylized animals aligned across the path, strong outlines, symbolic gestures of stopping, earthy reds/ochres/greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents on the traveler’s ornaments and vehicle, animals arranged as an emblematic frieze blocking the road, ornate border, devotional-instructional mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: road centerline, animals labeled by placement (agrataḥ), traveler shown pausing, fine shading and delicate ornamentation.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic animals on a dusty road, traveler with attendants reining in, detailed landscape and textiles, subtle tension in posture and gaze."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prayātasyāgrato = prayātasya + agrataḥ; prāṇaharo = prāṇa + haraḥ; long dvandva compound: ṛkṣākhujambukavyāghrasiṃhamārjāragardabhāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 230 (yātrā-nimitta lists and directional rules)
FAQs
It teaches yātrā-nimitta (travel prognostics): seeing certain animals directly in front at the moment of departure is classified as a dangerous/inauspicious sign, advising caution or postponement.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge like nimitta-śāstra—practical decision-making tools (omens, timing, risk-signs) used in daily life such as travel and public activity.
Observing omens is framed as aligning one’s actions with dharma and cosmic order (ṛta); heeding warnings helps avoid harm and the negative karmic consequences of reckless action.