Sphuraṇa
By Swami Harshananda
Sphuraṇa literally means ‘throbbing of limbs’.
Prognostication by observing the throbbing of one’s limbs seems to be an ancient field of knowledge. Apart from some of the purāṇas like the Matsya,[1] some independent works like the Vasantarājaśakuna[2] also deal with this subject in great detail.
The limbs involved in throbbing may be any one from the head to the foot. For men, all throbbing of limbs on the right side indicate auspicious results and on the left, inauspicious ones. For women it is exactly the opposite. A few of these may now mentioned here:
| Limb | Prognostication |
| Top of the head | Acquisition of land |
| Forehead | Prosperity in the present position |
| Region of the eye | Death |
| Upper arm | Union with friends |
| Hand | Wealth |
| Back | Defeat |
| Chest | Success |
| Soles | Journey with gains |
Sanyāsins were prohibited from practicing such arts to gain alms. The results of inauspicious indications can be offset by giving gifts as prescribed in the śāstras.[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ Matsyapuraṇa 241.1-14
- ↑ Vasantarāja who might have lived in circa A. D. 700.
- ↑ Matsyapurāṇa 241.14
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore