Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
भयाय दक्षिणं चाङ्गं तथा भुजमदक्षिणं यात्राघातकरो यातुर्भवेत् प्रतिमुखागतः
bhayāya dakṣiṇaṃ cāṅgaṃ tathā bhujamadakṣiṇaṃ yātrāghātakaro yāturbhavet pratimukhāgataḥ
యాత్రికునికి శరీరంలోని కుడి భాగం కంపించడం భయసూచకం; అలాగే ఎడమ భుజం కంపించడం కూడా అశుభం. అతనికి ఎదురుగా ముందునుంచి వచ్చే వ్యక్తి ప్రయాణానికి అడ్డంకి కలిగించువాడవుతాడు.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Journey-augury: interpret bodily omens and oncoming encounters to decide whether to proceed, pause, or take precautions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Yātrā-śakuna: aṅga-nimitta and pratīmukha-āgama (obstacle from the front)","lookup_keywords":["yatra shakuna","anga nimitta","dakshina vama","pratimukha","journey obstacle"],"quick_summary":"If fear-omens arise on the right side and the left arm is inauspicious, an oncoming person from the front is read as a journey-hindrance; delay or alter the route."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna as pragmatic risk-management in travel.
Application: When multiple adverse signs cluster, suspend action, seek propitiation, or choose an alternate timing/route.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-shastra (Omens & Journey-Augury / Shakuna)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler pauses as his right side shows a fear-omen and his left arm is marked inauspicious; an oncoming stranger approaches directly from the front, symbolizing an obstacle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, traveler with staff and bundle on a forest road, subtle gesture to right side and left arm, an oncoming figure centered as pratīmukha, auspicious/inauspicious motifs in borders, traditional temple mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, traveler at a crossroads with ornate gold leaf highlights on garments and road ornaments, frontal oncoming person as obstacle, symbolic right/left side markers, rich red and green palette, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau: traveler figure labeled right/left, oncoming person in front, clean lines, soft shading, didactic layout with minimal background, classical Mysore palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape road scene, traveler noticing bodily omen, oncoming courtly figure from front, fine brushwork, naturalistic trees and path, subtle tension in posture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाङ्गम् = च + अङ्गम्; भुजमदक्षिणम् = भुजम् + अदक्षिणम्; यातुर्भवेत् = यातुः + भवेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Nimitta-śāstra: yātrā-śakuna)
FAQs
It teaches yātrā-nimitta (journey-augury): bodily side/arm omens and the prognostic meaning of a person approaching from the front as a potential impediment to travel.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical applied knowledge—here, nimitta-śāstra for decision-making in travel—showing its wide coverage of day-to-day predictive disciplines alongside ritual and dharma.
Observing omens is framed as prudent, dharmic caution: avoiding inauspicious encounters and timing reduces harm and supports a safer, orderly course of action aligned with cosmic signs.