After worshipping and praising Hari, one finds that all inauspiciousness is dispelled. But if another unwelcome sign appears, it is wise to enter the house by a different path. Certain sights and objects are considered most auspicious: white flowers are praised above all, and a full water-pot is especially excellent. Yet, there are also things whose presence is less favorable—such as meat, fish, distant sounds, an old man alone, and an animal without its skin. Among the auspicious, cows, horses, elephants, gods, blazing fire, fresh grass, wet cow dung, a courtesan, gold, silver, and gems are all regarded as signs of good fortune. Words spoken with purpose, medicines that fulfill their intent, a seal, weapons and swords, an umbrella, a seat, royal insignia, and even a corpse that is not accompanied by weeping are counted among the auspicious. Fruits, ghee, curds, milk, whole grains of rice, a mirror, honey, a conch, sugarcane, auspicious speech, food, musical instruments, and singing all bring favorable outcomes. The deep rumbling of clouds and the satisfaction of the mind upon seeing lightning are also auspicious, but above all, the contentment of the mind is the greatest of these signs. Puṣkara explained that omens reveal themselves while a person is standing, setting out, or being questioned, and they pertain not only to individuals but also to the land and city. Omens that blaze fiercely are declared by those who ponder fate to yield evil results, while calm omens are said by astrologers to bring good outcomes. Six types of brilliance are described for omens, distinguished by time, place, action, sound, and type. Each preceding omen is stronger than the next, and an omen that moves by day at night, or by night during the day, is especially powerful. For cruel signs, the bright omen is recognized at the rising of a constellation or planet; the smoky omen is noted when the sun is about to move. When present, the omen is blazing; when released, it is fiery. These three are considered bright, and five others are peaceful. A bright omen seen in a particular direction is called a directional omen; if seen in a village, forest, or wilderness, or on a condemned tree, it is domestic. In an inauspicious place, it is known as a place-bright omen, and when an act is improper for one’s kind, it is called a ritual-bright omen. A discordant, terrifying cry is a sound-bright omen; and when the sign is solely meat-eating, it is a species-bright omen. From the bright omen, the peaceful is determined with careful distinctions; mixed omens yield mixed results, and their outcome, whether good or bad, must be declared. Certain creatures are recognized as dwellers of villages: cows, horses, camels, donkeys, dogs, starlings, house lizards, sparrows, cranes, turtles, and others. Cats and chickens are domestic but also roam wild, and their recognition depends on differences in form. Other birds and animals are listed: cattle-eared, peacocks, chakras, donkeys, parrots, crows, kulaha birds, kukubha, hawks, pheruka, anjana, monkeys, shataghnas, sparrows, blackbirds, crows, hawks, francolins, partridges, butterflies, and three kinds of pigeons. Day-roaming creatures include khanjarita, dātyūha, wild boar, jīva-kukkuṭa, bhāradvāja, and sāraṅga. Night-roaming creatures are vāguryu, owls, sharabha, cranes, hares, turtles, hairy ones, and reddish ones. Swans, deer, cats, mongooses, bears, snakes, wolves, lions, tigers, camels, village boars, and humans are also named. Some animals, such as hunting dogs, bulls, jackals, wolves, cuckoos, cranes, horses, kaupīna-men, and lizards, roam both day and night. Those who move in groups at the front during marches are designated as leaders, while those who carry burdens are said to bring death from behind. When a crow comes from the house and cries out while standing in front, it foretells the king’s insult or strife at a meal, especially if it stands on the left. Yet, when seen from a vehicle, its presence is auspicious on either side. The peacock, if its cry is discordant, reveals theft by robbers. When setting out, if a deer appears ahead, it brings death, as do bears, boars, jackals, tigers, lions, cats, and donkeys. Similarly, the pratiloma bird, the khara with a harsh voice, the left-sided kapiñjala, and the one situated on the right are described. The tittiri bird, whose fruit is condemned, is not praised when seen from behind; but the ena, varāha, and pṛṣata, when coming from the left and then the right, are considered auspicious. Birds approaching from the right and then the left are known to bring desired results; auspicious are the śyāmā, nācchū, śūh, piṅgalā, and the house lizard. The female pig, parapuṣṭā, punnāmāna, and those coming from the left, as well as those named after women, the bhāsa, kārūṣa, kapiśrī, and karṇacchit, are also included. The kapiśrī, karṇa, pipyīkā, ruru, and ena are auspicious when coming from the right; the ox, snake, hare, boar, and lizard are also favorable. The sight of a monkey or bear coming from the opposite direction is not desired; but a bird that follows daily is effective for one who is setting out. The result for that person should be declared for that very day by the wise. Birds that are intoxicated, seeking food, young, or attached to enmity are also thus to be considered. If a bird enters the boundary and stays inside, it is fruitless; but if it cries once, twice, thrice, or four times, it is auspicious and fruitful. If it cries five or six times, it is fruitless; if seven times, it is again fruitful, but beyond that, it becomes fruitless. Such a bird causes horripilation in people and fear for vehicles; the bird called jvālānalā or sūryamukhī is known to increase fear. If a deer is first seen in an auspicious place, it brings good fortune for a year to a person; even in an inauspicious place, it is also favorable. Whoever sees such a deer on the first day should know that the result for the year will correspond to himself. Thus, through careful observation of signs and omens, one may discern the auspicious and inauspicious, and walk the path of wisdom, guided by the teachings of the ancients.