In the ancient wisdom of the Agni Purāṇa, the world is alive with signs and omens, and each creature, whether roaming by day or night, carries meaning for those who observe closely. Among the day-roaming beings are Khanjarita, dātyūha, the wild boar, jīva-kukkuṭa, bhāradvāja, and sāraṅga—all wanderers beneath the sun. By contrast, vāguryu, the owls, sharabha, cranes, hares, turtles, hairy ones, and reddish ones are known to move in the darkness, their activities shrouded in night. There are others, such as swans, deer, cats, mongooses, bears, snakes, wolves, lions, tigers, camels, village boars, and humans, whose presence is felt in both the day and night. Hunting dogs, bulls, jackals, wolves, cuckoos, cranes, horses, kaupīna-men, and lizards are recognized as creatures that roam at all hours. In marches and expeditions, those who move in groups at the front are called leaders, guiding the way. Those burdened with loads at the rear are seen as bearers of death, their position ominous. Even the behavior of birds is closely watched. If a crow comes from the house and cries out while standing in front, it signals insult to the king or discord at a meal, especially if it stands to the left. When traveling by vehicle, seeing a crow is auspicious, whether it appears on the left or right. The peacock’s cry, if discordant, warns of theft by robbers. But if, upon departure, a deer appears ahead, it foretells death, as do the sightings of bears, boars, jackals, tigers, lions, cats, and donkeys. Birds such as the pratiloma, the khara with a harsh voice, the left-sided kapiñjala, and the best one situated on the right are all carefully observed for their omens. The tittiri bird, whose fruit is condemned, is not praised when seen from behind. Yet, the ena, varāha, and pṛṣata, when coming first from the left and then the right, are considered auspicious. Birds approaching from the right and then the left bring desired results; auspicious are the śyāmā, nācchū, śūh, piṅgalā, and even the house lizard. The female pig, the parapuṣṭā, the punnāmāna, and those coming from the left, as well as those named after women—bhāsa, kārūṣa, kapiśrī, karṇacchit—are included among auspicious omens. Kapiśrī, karṇa, pipyīkā, ruru, and ena are favorable when seen coming from the right, as are the ox, snake, hare, boar, and lizard. However, seeing a monkey or bear coming from the opposite direction is not desired. Yet, a bird that follows daily is considered effective for one setting out. The wise declare the result of such omens for that very day. Birds intoxicated, seeking food, young, or attached to enmity are also 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 the bird cries five or six times, it is said to be fruitless; seven times is again fruitful, but beyond that, it becomes fruitless. Such cries cause 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; even in an inauspicious place, its sight is favorable. The person who sees such a deer on the first day should know the result for the year as corresponding to himself. Puṣkara, the sage, adds his wisdom: If many crows enter a city by a certain path, and that path is blocked, the city will be captured. If a crow settles in the army for rest and caws, especially if it is on the left, frightened, or agitated, it foretells great danger. If it pecks at shadows, limbs, vehicles, shoes, umbrellas, clothes, or similar things, it means death if worshipped, but auspiciousness if used for desired purposes. A crow circling the door when someone is away, or throwing red or burnt things into a house, indicates fire. If it places red things in front, it foretells imprisonment. If it brings yellow, golden, or silver objects, it indicates gain; if it takes away such things, it indicates loss. Finding wealth in front means gain; vomiting raw meat means gain of land; throwing mud means gain of territory; offering jewels means great sovereignty. A crow favorable to the traveler brings safety and success; an unfavorable one brings fear and failure. If it approaches cawing in front, it causes obstruction to the journey. The left crow is considered auspicious, the right one brings loss. The left crow going in the proper direction is best; the middle one is considered right; the left one going in the reverse direction prevents departure. If a crow enters a house for a desired purpose, it indicates the fulfillment of that purpose. Standing on one leg facing the sun brings fear. Staying in a hollow brings great misfortune. A crow on frost is not auspicious, but one with mud is praised. A crow with a mouth full of filth fulfills all desires. Other birds are also to be understood like crows. Dogs standing to the left of the camp bring destruction to Brāhmaṇas. If they bark at the king’s place, the city gate, or inside the house, it foretells death for the master. If a dog sniffs the left side of a person, it brings success; if the right side, it brings fear; if the right arm, it brings obstruction to the journey. If it faces the traveler, it causes obstruction; if it blocks the path, it indicates thieves. If its mouth is bone-filled or rope-filled, it means loss. If its mouth has shoes or meat, it is auspicious. If its mouth has inauspicious things or hair, it is unfavorable. If it urinates in front of someone, it brings fear; if it urinates and goes away, it brings auspiciousness, as does going to a good place or tree. If it goes to an auspicious thing, it brings success. Jackals and others are to be known like dogs. If jackals howl without cause, it brings fear to the master. At night, a strange howl means danger or death. If an ox bellows at night, it is auspicious for the master. If a bull is released, it brings victory to the king. If cows eat without fear, are given, or are one’s own, it is auspicious. If they abandon affection for their calves, it causes miscarriage. If they strike the ground with their feet, are dejected or frightened, it brings fear. If their limbs are wet or hair bristling, or if they are smeared with jackal mud, it is auspicious. All this applies to buffaloes and others. If a horse is mounted by another, or sits in water, or rolls on the ground, it is not desired. If a horse falls or sleeps without cause, it is inauspicious. If it dislikes barley or sweets, or suddenly refuses them, it is not praised. If blood comes from its mouth or it trembles, it is not praised. If it plays alone with pigeons or mynas, it foretells death. If its eyes are tearful, or it licks its feet, it means destruction. If it scratches the earth with its left foot, or sleeps on its left side during the day, it is not auspicious. If it urinates only once, or its face is sleepy, it brings fear. If it does not allow mounting, or enters the house in the opposite direction, it foretells obstruction to the journey. If it touches its left side, it foretells obstruction. But if it neighs or touches the foot, it brings victory in battle. If an elephant mates in the village, it causes the destruction of the place. If a female elephant gives birth or is in rut, it brings the end of the king. If it does not allow mounting, or enters the house in the opposite direction, it foretells obstruction. If the elephant loses its rut, it brings the king’s death. If it touches the left foot with the right, it is auspicious; if it touches the right tusk with its hand, it is also auspicious. If a bull, horse, or elephant goes to the enemy’s army, it is inauspicious. If the army is struck by heavy rain from broken clouds, it will be destroyed. If there are adverse planets or constellations, or opposing winds during a march or battle, the fall of the umbrella brings fear. If people are delighted and planets are favorable, it is a sign of victory. If warriors are overcome by crows or carnivorous animals, it means destruction of the circle. The eastern, western, and northeastern directions are praised as auspicious. Puṣkara further explains the proper times for departure, especially for the king. When the sun has set, is low, obscured, or when the enemy is ascendant, one should not depart. If the planets are in reverse or afflicted, or Venus is inauspicious, the journey should be abandoned; likewise, when Mercury is in reverse, or a planet is at the junction of directions. During the lunar mansion Baidhṛti, at Vyatīpāta, in Nāga, or when the omen is a quadruped or a kintughna, one should avoid setting out. One should not depart during times of misfortune, death, opposition, birth, or when the lunar day is Gaṇḍa or empty. The northern and eastern directions are united, as are the western and southern. One should not cross a parigha arising from wind and fire; the days ruled by the Sun, Moon, and Mars are not auspicious. The days of Mitra and others, or Indra and the waters, are also to be avoided. All gateways are auspicious, but there are shadow periods: for the Sun, twenty are to be known; for the Moon, sixteen; for Mars, fifteen; for Mercury, fourteen; for Jupiter, thirteen; for Venus, twelve; for Saturn, eleven. A man should not proceed when the ascendant is at birth, in Indra’s bow, or facing directly. At the beginning of auspicious omens, one should set out, remembering Hari for victory. Puṣkara promises to explain at the end of the discussion the protection of the king. He teaches that the seven limbs of a kingdom are the lord, the minister, the fortress, the treasury, punishment, friend, and territory. Obstacles to the seven-limbed kingdom should be destroyed, and growth pursued in all circles. The first circle is one’s own; neighboring rulers are its enemies, as are their enemies. The ally who has joined is the friend; then comes the friend of the enemy, then the friend of the friend, and then the enemy of the friend of the friend. After these are the rear-grasper and the one called the outcry, then the essence of the outcry. For one who desires conquest, who is joined with an enemy or freed from one, these apply. Even here, certainty cannot be declared. One who is able to restrain or favor is called the neutral. He who is able to restrain or favor all is called the indifferent, and he is the powerful lord of the earth. Thus, the world is filled with signs and omens, and the wise king, guided by Puṣkara’s teachings, observes the creatures, the planets, and the directions, seeking auspicious moments and avoiding inauspicious ones, so that his kingdom may prosper and his journeys be safe.