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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAN
earthquake, portentous phenomena, dreams, various colour and forms of the sky, throbbing of the limbs, chirping of the birds, characteristics of the parts of body and the signs of distinction' on body. The PCV records that they were of two types i. e. auspicious (pasattha sauņā 54. 32) or inauspicious (dunnimittaiṁ 70. 5; 94. 36; avasauņa 6. 140; pāvasauņa 44.38; saunayā vivariyā 7.17). If somebody observed auspicious ones, it was considered that they brought success in any undertaking or victory in the battle while the inauspicious ones were the signs of failure, defeat or death. Therefore, the people before undertaking any new work or commencing their journey did not forget to observe whether the omens were favourable or adverse.
These omens and auguries were associated with various factors such as birds, animals, human beings, worldly objects and natural phenomena.
The PCV mentions the following good omens which indicated success and victory.
The crowing of a crow on a resinous tree (khirarukkha) on the left side (34. 37) and flapping its feathers (54. 31) denoted victory and success. The sight of a white horse of good breed and the neighing of a horse was an auspicious augury (54. 29-30)". The sight of a woman wearing ornaments (54. 29) was regarded auspicious. 4 The sigbt of a parasol (chatta), or a pitcher (kalasa) or a new arch (ahinava torana 54. 30) was considered to be favourable. The hearing of the sound of a drum (bheri) or a conch was an auspicious augury (54. 31). The blowing of fragrant breeze? (54. 30) or the sight of the fire without any smoke and its flames bending towards the right side (dahinavatto 54. 29) was considered to be advantageous.
The following have been referred to in the PCV as inauspicious omens.
The crowing of a crow on a dry tree and flapping its wings on the right side (94. 35) was considered to be inauspicious. If a crow made
1. «Bhome uppāte suvine antalikkhe ange sare lakkhane vanjane! Sthānanga,
8. 608. 2. Sec Br-Sanh, 95. 1. 33; 86. 17 and Susruta Sanhita (Sūtrasthānam), 29.
30. 31). 3. By-Sanh, 86. 45; Su-Sanh. (Sut. 29, 27, 28). 4. Su-Samh. (Sut. 29. 26. 5. Ibid, (29. 25). 6. Ibid. 29, 28) & Bța. San. 86. 23). 7. Su-Samh. (Sut. 29 26-28).
