Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 26
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
जलोपवेशनं नेष्टं भूमौ च परिवर्तनं विपत्करन्तुरङ्गस्य सुप्तं वाप्यनिमित्ततः
jalopaveśanaṃ neṣṭaṃ bhūmau ca parivartanaṃ vipatkaranturaṅgasya suptaṃ vāpyanimittataḥ
నీటిలో కూర్చోవడం అశుభం; భూమిపై ఒలికిపడటం కూడా అశుభమే. ఎవరి దేహం విపత్తు వైపు సాగుతుందో, వారికి కారణం లేకుండా వచ్చే నిద్ర కూడా దుర్నిమిత్తం.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Arishta-lakshana (fatal/inauspicious prognostics) used by physician and family to judge severity, prognosis, and whether to intensify care or prepare rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Arishta: Inauspicious behaviors—water-sitting, ground-rolling, causeless sleep","lookup_keywords":["arishta-lakshana","apashakuna","jalopaveshana","bhumi-parivartana","animitta-nidra"],"quick_summary":"Certain sudden, abnormal behaviors—sitting immersed in water, rolling on the ground, and sleep without cause—are treated as ominous prognostic signs indicating impending calamity or decline."}
Concept: Nimitta/arishta as practical indicators of impending harm; heed observable signs over complacency.
Application: Use observable anomalies as decision-triggers: stop risky activity, call help, intensify protection and care.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Nidanachikitsa (Health conduct and prognostics)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worried household observes a person unusually sitting in water, then rolling on the ground, then falling into causeless sleep—interpreted as ominous prognostic signs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, traditional interiors near a water tank, attendants with expressive eyes, the patient seated in water then reclining, symbolic dark clouds of inauspiciousness, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on vessels and ornaments, a domestic courtyard with a water trough, figures in stylized poses showing concern, auspicious/inauspicious motifs contrasted.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional panel-like composition showing three vignettes: water-sitting, ground-rolling, causeless sleep; captions implied; calm but ominous palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard and water basin, physicians and family observing, three sequential moments in one frame, fine textiles, subdued ominous atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: jalopaveśanaṃ → jala-upaveśanam; neṣṭaṃ → na iṣṭam; vāpyanimittataḥ → vā api animittataḥ; vipatkaranturaṅgasya treated as a tatpuruṣa compound in genitive singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (Arishta/Nimitta section)
FAQs
It teaches Ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇa (prognostic omens): certain abnormal behaviors—sitting in water, rolling on the ground, and causeless sleep—are treated as warning signs of impending danger or illness.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied Ayurvedic-style prognostics (nidāna/ariṣṭa), showing the Purana’s coverage of practical health observation and risk-sign assessment alongside religious instruction.
By recognizing inauspicious signs early, one can take corrective action—self-restraint, purification, prayer, charity, and appropriate care—thereby reducing harm and aligning conduct with dharma.