Portentous Phenomena (Utpata)
"Utpata" refers to anything contrary to nature. These portents—Celestial, Atmospheric, and Terrestrial— are created by Gods displeased with men's misdeeds. While some can be mitigated through expiatory rites, others foretell serious calamities.
Celestial Portents
- Unnatural behaviour of planets and asterisms
- Meteors, thunders, storms, halos
- Warded off by profuse gifts (gold, food, cows, lands), milking cows in Siva temple, Koti Homa.
Atmospheric Portents
- Aerial cities, rainbows, etc.
- Can be mitigated.
Terrestrial Portents
- Moving and stationary objects
- Warded off through expiatory rites.
Specific Omens
Idols & Temples
- Breaking, moving, sweating, shedding tears, falling, muttering of Siva lingas/Idols → Ruin of Kings and lands
- Breaking/falling of axle, wheel, yoke, flag during temple festival → Not well-being of King and country
Fire & Smoke
- Flames without fire/fuel → Trouble to King/dominions
- Fire on water/flesh/wet things → King’s Death
- Fire on weapons → Sanguinary War
- Smoke without fire, dust/darkness in day → Very Great Peril
Trees
- Branches break suddenly → Preparation for War
- Laughing sound → Ruin of country
- Weeping sound → Disease
- Flowers/Fruits out of season → Confusion/Disintegration
- Withered trees sprout, Healthy wither → Decay of strength/food
Rainfall
- Drought → Famine
- Excessive Rain → Famine, Threat of Foreign Invasion
- Rain without Clouds → King’s Death
- Rain of Blood → War
Births (Monstrosities)
- Women giving birth to monstrosities/multiples → Ruin to country/family
- Animals (Mares, Camels, etc.) birth twins → Death of mothers
Seasonal Exceptions (Not harmful)
| Season | Phenomena considered Good/Auspicious |
|---|---|
| Spring (Chaitra/Vaisakha) | Thunderbolt, lightning, earth-tremor, halos, dust, smoke |
| Summer (Jyeshta/Ashadha) | Shooting stars, meteors, tawny Sun/Moon, blaze without fire |
| Rainy Season | Rainbow, halos, lightning, sprouting withered trees, earth rumbling |
| Autumn | Celestial nymphs, aerial chariots, planets by day, music in forests |
| Winter (Dewy) | Cold blast, frost, aerial voice, smoke-darkened quarters |
| Winter (Hemanta) | Snowfall, unnatural winds, dark collyrium sky |
General Remedy
The Goddess of Speech is always truthful. Even if a person doesn't know planetary calculations,
observing portents carefully makes them a favorite of kings. Omens arising from seasonal features are good;
if observed out of season, they are dreadful.