Shloka 35

Dhvaja–Dhūmra–Paśu-Ākṛti Śakuna: Interpreting Banner, Smoke, and Animal-Form Omens by Stations

Devanagari script

ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने गजं दृष्ट्वा धनकीर्त्यादिकं भवेत् / ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने स्थिते ध्वाङ्क्षे विदेशगमनादिकम्

Transliteration

dhvāṅkṣasthāne gajaṃ dṛṣṭvā dhanakīrtyādikaṃ bhavet / dhvāṅkṣasthāne sthite dhvāṅkṣe videśagamanādikam

Translation

కాకి స్థానంలో గజాన్ని చూచినచో ధనము, కీర్తి మొదలైన లాభములు కలుగును. కాని అదే కాకి స్థానంలో కాకి నిలిచినచో విదేశగమనము మొదలైనవి సంభవించును.

Word by Word

• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: in the crow’s place
• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वाङ्क्ष-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• गजम्: an elephant
• गजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verbal/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive)

• धनकीर्त्यादिकम्: wealth, fame, etc.
• धनकीर्त्यादिकम्: Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन + कीर्ति + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; धनं कीर्तिः इत्यादि (समाहारार्थ)

• भवेत्: may occur/would be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: in the crow’s place
• ध्वाङ्क्षस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वाङ्क्ष-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• स्थिते: when situated
• स्थिते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; locative absolute

• ध्वाङ्क्षे: in/at a crow
• ध्वाङ्क्षे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वाङ्क्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• विदेशगमनादिकम्: going to a foreign land, etc.
• विदेशगमनादिकम्: Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदेश + गमन + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विदेशं गमनम् इति द्वितीया-तत्पुरुष (destination) + आदि

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nimittas can invert expectations; outcomes include both gain (artha/yaśas) and displacement (videśa-gamana).

Vedantic Theme: Phala is mixed and transient; success often entails change—practice non-attachment and preparedness.

Application: Use gains to build resilience; if travel is indicated, plan ethically and carefully (documents, duties to family, offerings/charity before departure).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: omen-locus/threshold-rooftop-tree-perch zone

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (śakuna: elephant/crow in crow-locus and results)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of omen-reading (nimitta) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that the Garuda Purana also preserves practical nimitta (omen) lore, where specific sightings (like elephant/crow in a defined ‘crow-spot’) are linked to predicted outcomes such as prosperity or travel.

How does this verse explain the result of seeing an elephant in a crow-associated place?

It treats the unexpected auspicious symbol (elephant) appearing in a crow-spot as a positive reversal, indicating gains like wealth and reputation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a traditional reminder to observe patterns and context before drawing conclusions—distinguishing an unusual, favorable sign from an ordinary occurrence, and responding with prudence rather than anxiety.