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## Determining Time from Auspicious Sounds (Dwividha-Upashruti)
**Yoga Shastra, Fifth Light, Verses 186-197**
**648.** If a flock of crows gathers and makes a noise at the house of a sick person, at all three sandhyas (dawn, noon, and dusk), then death is near. **186.**
**649.** If crows drop skin, bones, rope, or hair in the dining room or bedroom of a sick person, then death is imminent. **187.**
**Explanation:** Now, through nine verses, we will explain how to determine time through auspicious sounds (Upashruti).
**650.** A wise person should know the determination of time through auspicious sounds. On a favorable day, during the time of sleep, after one prahar (three hours) of the night has passed, while lying down, one should travel in the north, east, or west direction. **188.**
**651.** After performing five namaskaras (salutations) and reciting the Acharya mantra or the Shruti, one should leave the house with ears covered so that no sound can be heard. One should then travel towards the houses of artisans (Shilpis) and towards the market square or the main road in the aforementioned directions. **189.**
**652.** After performing an archanā (worship) of the earth with sandalwood and offering fragrant powder, akshata (unhusked rice), etc., one should carefully open their ears and listen to the sounds. **190.**
**653.** These sounds are of two types: 1. Arthanantara-Upadeshya (sounds with hidden meaning) and 2. Swarupa-Upashruti (sounds with direct meaning). The first type of sound requires contemplation (Vimarśa) to understand its intended meaning, while the second type directly conveys its meaning. **191.**
**654.** For example, "This pillar of the house will break in five or six days, five or six fortnights, five or six months, or five or six years, or it will not break at all." **192.**
**655.** "This pillar is very beautiful, but it is small and will be destroyed soon." This type of Upashruti is called Arthanantara-Upadeshya. **193.**
**656.** "This woman will not leave this place, this man will not leave here, or we will not let him go, and he does not want to go." **194.**
**657.** "This person wants to go, and I am eager to send him. Therefore, he will leave soon." This is called Swarupa-Upashruti. **195.**
**658.** Those who are skilled in this knowledge can determine the proximity of death or food by listening to the sounds that arise from the opening of the ears. **196.**
**Explanation:** A wise person should know the determination of time through auspicious sounds. On a favorable day, during the time of sleep, after one prahar (three hours) of the night has passed, while lying down, one should travel in the north, east, or west direction. After performing five namaskaras (salutations) and reciting the Acharya mantra or the Shruti, one should leave the house with ears covered so that no sound can be heard. One should then travel towards the houses of artisans (Shilpis) and towards the market square or the main road in the aforementioned directions. After performing an archanā (worship) of the earth with sandalwood and offering fragrant powder, akshata (unhusked rice), etc., one should carefully open their ears and listen to the sounds. These sounds are of two types: 1. Arthanantara-Upadeshya (sounds with hidden meaning) and 2. Swarupa-Upashruti (sounds with direct meaning). The first type of sound requires contemplation (Vimarśa) to understand its intended meaning, while the second type directly conveys its meaning. For example, "This pillar of the house will break in five or six days, five or six fortnights, five or six months, or five or six years, or it will not break at all." "This pillar is very beautiful, but it is small and will be destroyed soon." This type of Upashruti is called Arthanantara-Upadeshya. "This woman will not leave this place, this man will not leave here, or we will not let him go, and he does not want to go." "This person wants to go, and I am eager to send him. Therefore, he will leave soon." This is called Swarupa-Upashruti. Those who are skilled in this knowledge can determine the proximity of death or food by listening to the sounds that arise from the opening of the ears. **188-196.**
**659.** Now, we will explain the method of knowing time through the Shani (Saturn) person in four verses. In which constellation Shani is located, one should place four fingers on the right hand and three fingers on each foot. **197.**