History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.560

v6.c82.560

The Yogayātrā XIII. 3 provides that a king when starting on an expedition should see, hear and touch *maṅgalas* and enumerates them in verses 4-6, 10-15 at length. A few of them are noted here. Auspicious sounds are those of the recitations of the Veda and the auxiliary lores of the Veda, of conches, drums, of words like 'puṇyāha' (it is a holy day) and of the Purāṇas Dharmaśāstras, Arthaśāstras, the Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyaṇa; the auspicious chirpings of cranes, *cāṣa*, peacocks, swans and jīvañjīvika (partridge), crows sitting on the backs of tortoises marked with mud; auspicious objects are the bilva tree chowries, sandalwood, cow with calf, a goat, *priyaṅgu* creeper fried grains, a chariot filled with men; banners, *sarvauṣadhi* *svastika* sign, vessels filled with presents, horse, undried ginger cowdung, mustard, mirror, a bull bound with ropes, meat, a jar full of water, turban, lute, umbrella, curds, honey, ghee, yellow pigment, maiden, flagstaff, gold, lotus, conch, white ox, flowers fine clothes, fish, well-dressed brāhmaṇas, street walkers, and dancing girls, fire in flames, elephants, wet earth, goad, weapons various precious stones such as emerald, ruby, crystal; a young woman accompanied by her son; these signs and objects should be arranged for or they may present themselves spontaneously. The Agnipurāṇa chap. 243, Ratnamālā XV. 97-98, Muhūrta-mārtaṇḍa VII. 15-16, 20 and several others contain similar long lists of auspicious matters on a king's *yātrā*. Long lists of auspicious and inauspicious sights, persons, animals and substances are furnished by the Br. S chapters 86-96 (expressly based upon the works of Ṛṣabha, Bhāguri, Devala, Bhāradvāja and authors on yātrā like Garga dealing with śakunas of all kinds, including barking of dogs, chirping of birds and crows), the Bṛhadyogayātrā chapters 21-28 dealing with omens derived from the movements of elephants, horses, the cries of she-jackals, crows &c., the Yogayātrā XIII. 14, Muhūrtacintāmaṇi XI. 99-100, Muhūrtamārtaṇḍa VII. 17-19, Rājanītiprakāśa pp 335-360 and other works. As an illustration only one verse from the Yogayātrā is ⁹⁵⁹ translated here The following are inauspicious (on Yātrā)- cotton, herbs and drugs, black corn, salt, an impotent person, bones, orpiment, fire, serpent, coals, poison, serpent's slough, excreta, razor, diseased persons, one who has vomited or is mad or paralysed or blind, grass, husk, a famished person, butter milk, an enemy, one whose head is completely shaved, one whose body is anointed with oil, one with hair dishevelled, a sinner, one wearing reddish garments