Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

ध्वजस्थाने स्थिते सिंहे धनलाभादिकं भवेत् / स्थिते शुनिध्वजस्थाने दासीचिन्तासुखादिकम्

Transliteration

dhvajasthāne sthite siṃhe dhanalābhādikaṃ bhavet / sthite śunidhvajasthāne dāsīcintāsukhādikam

Translation

若狮子居于旗位，则有财利所得等吉益。若犬居于旗位，则示与仆役（或婢女）相关之事与思虑，并伴随安适等相应果报。

Word by Word

• ध्वजस्थाने: in the banner-position
• ध्वजस्थाने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• स्थिते: when (it) is situated
• स्थिते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृत्)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) सप्तमी एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्गे सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)

• सिंहे: (as) a lion
• सिंहे: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी-सहचर

• धनलाभादिकं: wealth, gain, etc.
• धनलाभादिकं: Karma/Result (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक) + लाभ (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (धन-लाभ-आदि-समूहः)

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

• स्थिते: when (it) is situated
• स्थिते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृत्)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, सप्तमी एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी

• शुनिध्वजस्थाने: in the dog-banner position
• शुनिध्वजस्थाने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; समासः (शुनि-ध्वज-स्थानम् = ‘place of the dog-sign/banner’)

• दासीचिन्तासुखादिकम्: matters like concern about a maidservant, pleasure, etc.
• दासीचिन्तासुखादिकम्: Karma/Result (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दासी (प्रातिपदिक) + चिन्ता (प्रातिपदिक) + सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (दासी-चिन्ता-सुख-आदि-समूहः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Specific nimittas (lion/dog) at a fixed locus predict distinct result-domains (wealth vs. servant/comfort matters).

Vedantic Theme: Empirical life is governed by patterned expectations; wise action uses signs without losing ethical restraint or inner detachment.

Application: Treat predictions as prompts for prudent planning (finances, household management) rather than fatalistic certainty.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: omen-locus

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: nimitta lists and result-interpretations (thematic)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of omen-signs like the lion or dog in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats specific placements (here, at the dhvaja-sthāna) as predictive signs: a lion indicates prosperity and wealth-gain, while a dog indicates domestic/servant-related anxieties mixed with comforts.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Rather than describing the post-death journey directly, this verse belongs to the Garuda Purana’s practical predictive lore—using signs to anticipate forthcoming worldly results (artha and household circumstances), which in turn influence one’s dharmic choices.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reflective prompt: auspicious signs (lion) encourage gratitude and responsible use of wealth, while cautionary signs (dog) suggest improving household management, fair treatment of helpers, and reducing worry through ethical action.