Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
अन्तर्गृहे गृहेशस्य मरणाय भवेद्भषन् यस्य जिघ्रति वामाङ्गं तस्य स्यादर्थसिद्धये
antargṛhe gṛheśasya maraṇāya bhavedbhaṣan yasya jighrati vāmāṅgaṃ tasya syādarthasiddhaye
若犬在屋内吠叫，则为家主之死兆；然若其嗅人之左侧，则被说为能成就求财得物（所愿之事）。
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Household prognostics: interpreting dog behavior (barking location; sniffing left side) to anticipate danger or success; deciding on protective rites or proceeding with plans.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"House-omen: dog barking inside; dog sniffing the left side","lookup_keywords":["shvana-bhashana","antar-griha","griheshvara-marana","vama-anga","artha-siddhi"],"quick_summary":"A dog barking within the inner house is taken as a death-omen for the householder; conversely, a dog sniffing a person’s left side is read as a sign of attaining wealth/success—same animal, different action and locus, different result."}
Concept: Nimitta is situational: locus (inside house) and contact-direction (left side) alter prognostic meaning; prudent action aligns with observed signs.
Application: If the inauspicious sign occurs, pause major actions, increase vigilance, and perform śānti/house-protection; if the favorable sign occurs, proceed with planned acquisition/undertaking.
Khanda Section: Śakuna-śāstra (Omens & Prognostics)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a traditional house, a dog barks near the inner rooms while the householder looks worried; in a second moment, the dog sniffs a person’s left side and the mood turns hopeful regarding gain.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, interior courtyard house, dog barking near threshold to inner chamber, anxious householder, second vignette of dog sniffing left side with calmer faces, bold flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly decorated domestic scene with gold borders, dog barking inside near lamps, then dog sniffing left side of a merchant/householder holding a purse, auspicious motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional two-scene composition, clear gestures showing ‘inside house barking’ vs ‘left-side sniffing’, soft palette and precise outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior architecture and textiles, dog barking in inner quarters, then sniffing left side of a figure, attendants reacting with concern then relief"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अन्तर्गृहे = अन्तः + गृहे (अव्ययीभाव); गृहेशस्य = गृह + ईशस्य; भवेद्भषन् = भवेत् + भषन्; वामाङ्गम् = वाम + अङ्गम्; स्यादर्थसिद्धये = स्यात् + अर्थसिद्धये.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (household animal omens; left/right sign logic)
FAQs
It teaches Śakuna-vidyā: interpreting a dog’s behavior (barking indoors; sniffing the left side) as predictive omens for death or for successful gain (arthasiddhi).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied prognostics—everyday divinatory rules used for decision-making in domestic and social life.
It frames worldly events as sign-governed (nimitta), encouraging vigilance and timely remedial action (śānti) when inauspicious portents arise, and confidence when auspicious signs appear.