Chapter 232 - Omens known from birds

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Puṣkara said:

1. An army would take possession of a city that is under siege by that way through which many crows enter that city.

2. It indicates unfordable fear if a crow taking its abode in the place of the army goes about cawing with agitation and fear.

3. If (the crow) pecks at the shadow, body, vehicle, shoes, umbrella and clothes and other things (of a person, it indicates) death (for that person). If it honours (the person, he) will be honoured. If it gives something that it is fond of, (it augurs) good.

4-6. A crow going to and fro at the entrance (to a house, indicates) the return of the absentee owner of the house. It indicates destruction by fire (if the crow) throws a red or burnt thing inside the house. A red (thing) placed (by the crow) in front of a person indicates imprisonment. O Bhārgava (son of Bhṛgu), if (a crow) brings (to the house) a yellow substance, gold or silver, it would indicate the gain of that (substance). So also one should indicate the loss of that thing which (a crow) should take away.

7. (If a crow) vomits raw flesh in front (of a house) there would be gain of wealth. (There would be) gain of land if (a piece of) earth is thrown. (There would be gain of kingdom if a great gem is cast.

8. If the crow (flies) favourably to the person who undertakes a journey it bids welfare and he would be able to accomplish his task. But if (it flies) against him it should be known that the task would not be accomplished and would cause fear.

9. If the crow comes cawing loudly against (the person) it would be an impediment to the journey. A crow on the left is considered to be beneficial and causing destruction of the task if on the right.

10. (If the crow flies) on the left in the direction (of the person undertaking a journey), it is excellent and medium if on the right. (If it flies) against the direction of the traveller on the left, it would cause impediment to the movement.

11. If the crow comes to the house when the traveller is beginning to move it should be known that he can set out. (If a crow) stands on one leg and looks at the sun with a single eye it causes fear.

12. (If a crow) makes its habitat in a hollow of a tree there would be great misfortune. A crow (seen) in the saline soil is not for good. But (the same seen) as having its wings with mud is commendable.

13. A crow (seen) as having its mouth full of excreta accomplishes all things. O Son of Bhṛgu! The other birds should also be known as (indicating the same results) as the crow.

14-20. Dogs (howling) on the right of a royal camp (indicate) the destruction of the brahmins. If they howl at the place of Indra in the palace, at the main entrance to the royal city and inside the house, it would augur the death of the lord of the house. It indicates the accomplishment of the task, if (a dog smells the left side of the body (of a man) and fear if (it smells) the right side of the body and the left arm. A dog coming against the traveller would be adverse to the journey. O Bhārgava (son of Bhṛgu)! (a dog) obstructing the path (of a traveller) indicates robbers on the way. (A dog)holding a piece of bone in the mouth (being seen in front indicates) fruitlessness (of the effort). Similarly (a dog being seen) holding a rope or rag in the mouth is sinful. (A dog being seen) as holding the shoes as well as full of meat in the mouth is also beneficial. (A dog being seen) as holding the hair or any filthy substance in the mouth is inauspicious. (A dog) urinating and going in front (of the traveller) would bring fear. If (one sees a dog) urinating and going to an auspicious place or tree or to an auspicious substance (it indicates) the accomplishment of the task for that person. O Rāma (Paraśurāma)! Jackals and other (animals) should also be known (to indicate) the same (result) as a dog.

21. The lowing of the cows should be known as auguring fear for the master. (If a cow lows) in the night it would be indicating fear from thieves. (If it) wails (it forebodes) death.

22. If a bull bellows in the night it would be for the welfare of the master. A bull let loose in the night would confer victory on the king.

23. The cows belonging to a person that were given as gift (indicate) security (if found) eating (as they wish). (The cows) that had withheld showing affection to the calves are known to be (indicating) miscarriage (in the family).

24. (The cows) that pound the earth with their feet and are frightened bring fear. (The cows) that have wet skin, horripilation and earth stuck to the horns are auspicious.

25-31. It should be told in the same way in the case of the she-buffalos and others by those knowing (the science). A saddled horse (being seen) as ridden by another (other than the appointed person) forebodes evil. (A horse being seen) as plunging into the water and tumbling over the ground is not desirable. A horse that (is seen) sleeping without a good cause causes misfortune. (If a horse) has aversion to barley and balls (of grains) all of a sudden it is not commended. Bleeding from the mouth and trembling of the body are also not commended. (If a horse) plays with cranes, pigeons and the sārikās (a species of birds), one should indicate death. A horse licking the leg with the tongue with tear-filled eyes forebodes ruin. (If a horse) scratches the earth with the left foot or sleeps during the day (lying) on the left side, it does not confer good. The horse that passes urine once (a day), that is looking drowsy, does not allow to be ridden and that returns home frantically if ridden upon, indicates impediment for the journey. (It indicates the same result) if it touches the left side (of its body). (The horse) that neighs (on seeing) the enemy warrior and touching its leg brings victory.

32-35. If an elephant courts (openly) in a village it would ruin the country. If a she-elephant after delivering a calf runs amuck (it forebodes) the death of the king. (If an elephant) does not allow itself to be ridden or frantically returns home after being ridden or ichor flows from the elephant, it foretells the death of the king. (An elephant) crossing its left foot with its right foot and entwining its right tusk with its trunk is auspicious. A bull or a horse or an elephant entering the enemy forces is inauspicious. If clouds get broken (suddenly) and rain excessively, (the king) would get his army routed.

36. The tumbling down of the umbrella at the time of a travel or during the war on account of adverse asterisms and planetary conditions or the wind blowing against (the forces) forebodes fear.

37. Contended men and favourable planets are the characteristics for (foreboding) victory. The warriors being attacked by the crows and demons (forebodes) the destruction of the army. The east, west, north-east and north are the excellent and auspicious directions.