Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
यातुः काको ऽनुकूलस्तु क्षेमः कर्मक्षमो भवेत् न त्वर्थसाधको ज्ञेयः प्रतिकूलो भयावहः
yātuḥ kāko 'nukūlastu kṣemaḥ karmakṣamo bhavet na tvarthasādhako jñeyaḥ pratikūlo bhayāvahaḥ
对将要出行之人，乌鸦若呈吉相，则示平安，所行之事亦能得力成办；然不可视为得财之兆。若呈凶相，则为生惧之征。
Lord Agni (teaching in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Use crow-omens at departure to judge safety and operational success of a journey/undertaking, distinguishing it from signs of direct financial gain.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śakuna for Travel: Crow as Favorable/Unfavorable Sign","lookup_keywords":["shakuna","crow omen","travel","anukula","pratikula"],"quick_summary":"A favorable crow at departure indicates safety and effective execution, but not necessarily wealth-gain. An unfavorable crow indicates fear and risk."}
Concept: Omen-reading is domain-specific: one sign may indicate safety/efficacy without implying wealth; interpretation must be bounded.
Application: When signs are favorable, proceed with confidence but keep financial expectations separate; when unfavorable, delay, propitiate, or increase precautions.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Shakuna-shastra (Omens and augury in travel and undertakings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler at the threshold with staff and bundle watches a crow; one depiction shows the crow calm and favorable, another shows it ominous, prompting hesitation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a traveler at a gateway, crow perched nearby; split composition showing anukūla (calm crow, open path) and pratikūla (agitated crow, darkened sky); stylized foliage borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a departing merchant with gold-highlighted ornaments and travel bundle; crow rendered prominently; auspicious side with bright aura, inauspicious side with subdued tones; gold work on threshold arch.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style didactic scene: traveler pointing to crow, with small labels ‘anukūla—kṣema’ and ‘pratikūla—bhaya’; clean lines, minimal background, emphasis on gesture and direction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a caravan departure at city gate; a crow in foreground; attendants reacting differently in two vignettes; detailed architecture and textiles, muted natural palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kāko 'nukūlastu→kākaḥ+anukūlaḥ+tu (visarga elision before vowel); tvarthasādhako→tu+artha-sādhakaḥ; bhayāvahaḥ→bhaya-āvahaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Shakuna-vidyā rules for directions, sounds, and animal-birds in travel
FAQs
It teaches shakuna-vidya (augury): interpreting the crow’s behavior as an omen specifically for travel—favorable indicates safety and smooth execution, while unfavorable indicates danger.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied knowledge used in daily life—decision-making based on omens for journeys—showing the text’s coverage of practical jyotisha/nimitta traditions alongside ritual and dharma.
It promotes mindful action (pravṛtti) aligned with perceived auspiciousness, encouraging caution and restraint when signs are adverse—thus reducing risky, harm-producing choices and supporting kṣema (well-being).