Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 2
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
सर्वः पापफलो दीप्तो निर्दिष्टो दैवचिन्तिकैः शान्तः शुभफलश् चैव दैवज्ञैः समुदाहृतः
sarvaḥ pāpaphalo dīpto nirdiṣṭo daivacintikaiḥ śāntaḥ śubhaphalaś caiva daivajñaiḥ samudāhṛtaḥ
Ang naglalagablab na palatandaan ay ipinahahayag ng mga tagapagpaliwanag ng masamang pangitain na nagbubunga ng ganap na bunga ng kasalanan; ngunit ang payapang palatandaan ay ipinahahayag din ng mga astrologo-manghuhula na nagbubunga ng mapalad na bunga.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to sage Vashistha, in the standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Classify observed celestial/atmospheric phenomena into ‘inauspicious’ vs ‘auspicious’ based on their visible intensity (blazing vs calm) for decision-making (travel, rites, royal acts).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dīpta vs Śānta Nimitta-phala (Omen Results)","lookup_keywords":["dīpta","śānta","nimitta-phala","daiva-jñāna","śakuna"],"quick_summary":"A ‘blazing’ manifestation is read as yielding sinful/inauspicious results, while a ‘calm’ manifestation is read as auspicious. Use this as a first-pass rule before finer omen taxonomy."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: external signs are interpreted through observable qualities (tejas/saumyatā) to infer likely outcomes.
Application: Adopt a conservative rule: avoid initiating major acts under ‘dīpta’ signs; prefer ‘śānta’ signs for commencements and rites.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha (Daiva-jñāna / Omens and Portents)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two contrasting celestial signs: one blazing and harsh, another calm and gentle, with omen-readers/astrologers pointing and recording outcomes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, two-panel composition: left a blazing fiery celestial orb with sharp rays and anxious observers; right a calm soft-glowing orb with serene astrologers holding palm-leaf manuscripts; earthy reds, ochres, stylized faces, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central calm luminous sun-disc with gold foil halo and auspicious motifs; side vignette of blazing sun with darker tones; astrologer figures with ornate jewelry, rich textiles, embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional tableau: astrologer-diviner seated with jyotiṣa tools (palm-leaf, stylus, chart), pointing to two sky conditions labeled dīpta/śānta; delicate lines, soft shading, muted palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court astrologers on a terrace observing sky; one page margin shows blazing phenomenon, another calm; fine architectural detail, naturalistic sky gradations, meticulous costumes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śubhaphalaś caiva → śubhaphalaḥ ca eva; daivacintikaiḥ, daivajñaiḥ are instrumental plurals; pāpaphalo → pāpa-phalaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Jyotiṣa/Nimitta sections on graha-lakṣaṇa and śakuna-bheda (same khanda); Agni Purana chapters on muhūrta and kāla-nirṇaya (related temporal decision rules)
FAQs
It teaches a basic rule of daiva-lakṣaṇa (omen-reading): a “blazing/overly fiery” sign is read as inauspicious, while a “calm/pacified” sign is read as auspicious—guiding practical interpretation of observed phenomena.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana compiles applied knowledge systems; here it summarizes a Jyotiṣa/daiva principle used for decision-making (timing, assessment of signs), showing its wide-ranging, handbook-like scope.
It links observable signs to karmic outcomes: turbulent, “inflamed” indications warn of pāpa-phala (harmful results), while tranquillity signals śubha-phala (beneficial results), encouraging restraint and auspicious action.