What Is the Vanjul Bird? The Real Meaning of Omens in Nature

Question

Ma’am, in the Ramayana passage there’s mention of a Vanjul bird. It says Lakshman saw this Vanjul bird and said, “This bird’s call is a good omen. Though we’re wandering through the forest, something good is about to happen.”
So, ma’am, what exactly is this Vanjul bird?

Answer

That is symbolic. The Vanjul bird may have existed, but its meaning here is figurative.

You see, the idea of shakun — omens — isn’t that nature actually brings good or bad events. In truth, nothing in nature happens as “good” or “bad.” Nature simply moves according to its own laws. Whether it’s a bird, an animal, a plant, or a human — everything in creation follows the same natural order.

Nature itself isn’t good for some and bad for others. “Good” and “bad” arise only from our own thoughts.

If our thinking is negative, we will see negativity everywhere — not only in nature or birds and animals, but even in people. And if our thoughts are positive, then even if something terrible happens — say, an accident, even a death — we will still look at it through a positive lens. What will we say then?
We’ll say: “Nature’s laws are at work. Among these, the chief law is the law of karma — the law of cause and effect. Based on that law, this event took place. What has happened, has happened; it was beyond anyone’s control.”

A positive person will see it this way.
A negative person, on the other hand, will react differently: “How terrible! Why did this happen? Everything was fine — why did he die?” and will create negative thoughts.

So, what we call shakun — omen — isn’t something that nature is doing outside.
It’s simply the reflection of what’s happening within our own thoughts. Our inner state makes things appear good or bad in the world around us.