Commentary on the Yoga-Yatra, Page 21

...they are heard, and likewise, clothes and houses become fruitless meaning they lose their protective or functional utility and burst into flames; in such a case, that region is to be attacked. (8) He mentions another sign for attack: unnatural births, out-of-season flowers, wild crops entering the city, the sound of a rooster at dusk, and the crying of a cuckoo in winter. (9) Where

Commentary on Yoga-Yatra 21

in a region there is an unnatural birth—a deformity in delivery—such as women giving birth to offspring resembling cats or other animals; flowers blooming out of their proper season; wild animals like deer entering the city; the sound of a rooster at the first face of night dusk; and the crying of cuckoos and similar birds during the winter—where these portents occur, that region is to be attacked. (9) He mentions another characteristic for attack: dogs crying long and piteously, constantly howling loudly without cause, and cruel women who might kill many; a white crow, and a rainbow appearing at night. (10) In a region where dogs gather in groups and, without being struck or provoked, cry out loudly and piteously at all times, not just at the proper time; and where cruel, heartless women might kill many; where a white crow is seen, and where a rainbow Indrayudha literally "Indra's weapon" appears at night—that region is to be attacked. (10) Now he mentions another characteristic for attack: if sesame seeds are without oil or have only half their oil; an excessive growth of crops; food becoming tasteless; and the flowering and sprouting of the tips of grass, or the destruction of plants without disease. (11) In a region where sesame seeds become devoid of oil, or if they have "half-oil"—meaning the oil produced is only half of the expected amount; where there is an unnaturally excessive growth of crops; where food loses its flavor and becomes unpalatable; where trees lose their sap; and where there is sprouting of flower buds and the destruction of plants without any visible disease literally "without pain/sickness"—

in that region, it is to be attacked. (11) Now he mentions another: where animals—excluding snakes, cats, and fish—eat the flesh of their own kind; where mating occurs between different species; and where birds and deer appear agitated and cry out toward the sun. (12) That region is to be attacked where, excluding snakes, wolves, cats, and fish—who do so by their very nature—other animals eat the flesh of their own species; where they engage in mating with other species cross-species breeding. As it is said: "All those who are not naturally meat-eaters of their own kind—excluding snakes, mice, and cats—if they eat their own kind or approach other species for mating, it is ill-omened for the cattle." Or as stated in the Varaha Samhita The Brihat Samhita of Varahamihira, a famous 6th-century encyclopedia of omens: "When a bull mates with a pig, etc." Likewise, when birds and wild animals are seen constantly agitated, making harsh sounds while facing the sun—that region is to be attacked. (12) He mentions another sign: the breaking or falling of city gates and Indra’s banners; the reversal of cold and heat; the cracking of the earth; low ground becoming high and high ground becoming low; and shadows moving in a direction opposite to the sun. (13) A Torana is the gate placed in front of the royal palace; Indra-dhvaja is the ceremonial staff for Indra's banner. The breaking or falling of these; the reversal of cold and heat—such as winter becoming hot or the summer months becoming cold; the cracking of the earth; lowlands being called highlands and highlands becoming low; and the shadows of living beings appearing distorted or facing toward the sun—where these occur, that region is to be attacked. (13) He mentions another: the wind blowing with extreme force, exceeding the influence of the planets; the appearance of a "City of the Gandharvas"; stars being visible during the day and the disappearance of the stars at night. (14) In a region where the wind is more violent and fierce than the planetary movements; where there is the appearance of a Gandharva-pura a mirage or "castle in the sky," considered a grave omen; where stars are clearly visible during the day, and at night...