Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
युद्धयात्रा (Yuddhayātrā) — The War-Expedition
न शस्तन्तु तथा वामे पृष्ठस्य हृदयस्य च लाञ्छनं पिटकञ्चैव विज्ञेयं स्फुरणं तथा
na śastantu tathā vāme pṛṣṭhasya hṛdayasya ca lāñchanaṃ piṭakañcaiva vijñeyaṃ sphuraṇaṃ tathā
Ngunit sa kaliwang panig, ang mga tanda sa likod at sa bahagi ng puso ay hindi itinuturing na mapalad; gayundin, ang pigsa o pamamaga ay dapat unawain bilang palatandaan, at pati ang panginginig o pagtibok ng katawan.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Interpreting inauspicious bodily omens (left-side signs; marks on back/heart region; boils; throbbing) to postpone action, perform pacification rites, or increase caution.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vama-paksha and Hridaya-Prishtha Lakshana as Ashubha Nimitta","lookup_keywords":["vama ashubha","hridaya lakshana","prishtha lakshana","pitaka omen","sphurana omen"],"quick_summary":"Left-side indications, and marks on the back or heart-region, are treated as inauspicious; boils/eruptions and bodily throbbing are also to be read as omens requiring caution."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Reading the body as a field of nimitta; asymmetry (left/right) and vital regions (heart) carry prognostic weight.
Application: Use adverse signs to delay travel/war, perform śānti, or adopt defensive posture.
Khanda Section: Samudrika-lakshana / Nimitta-shastra (omens and bodily marks)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An omen-reader points to inauspicious left-side signs: a mark near the heart/back area and a visible boil, advising restraint; the subject appears concerned.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized figure showing left-side mark near chest/back, a small red boil motif, a sage-like nimitta-knower gesturing ‘avoid’, strong contour lines and traditional ornaments.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated omen-reader with palm-leaf manuscript, gold detailing on attire, the subject displaying left-side chest/back region symbolically, small highlighted boil as a sign.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic panel: left-side inauspicious indicators mapped on a human figure, heart/back regions emphasized, neat linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate diagnostic scene in a court setting: physician-omenist examining a mark near the heart and a boil, attendants watching, fine textile detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शस्तन्तु = शस्तम् + तु; पिटकञ्चैव = पिटकम् + च + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 227 (nimitta rules around yatra and battle); Agni Purana 228 (dream-omens as parallel nimitta system)
FAQs
It teaches nimitta-jñāna (omen-reading) through bodily indicators—especially that left-side marks on the back/heart region, boils, and involuntary throbbings are to be interpreted as inauspicious or cautionary signs.
Beyond myth and devotion, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge systems like Nimitta-śāstra and Sāmudrika-lakṣaṇa—practical diagnostics of fortune/misfortune based on bodily signs.
By recognizing adverse omens early, one is prompted to adopt restraint, prayer, or expiatory conduct—reducing harmful outcomes and aligning actions with dharma and auspicious timing.