Shloka 18
Bhīṣma’s Recollection of the Duel: Charioteer’s Fall, Brahmin Protection, and Portents after Rāma’s Collapse
ततो व्योम्नि प्रादुरभूत् तेज एव हि केवलम् । भूतानि चैव सर्वाणि जम्मुरारतिं विशाम्पते,प्रजानाथ! फिर तो आकाशमें केवल आगकी ही ज्वाला प्रकट होने लगी। इससे समस्त प्राणियोंको बड़ी पीड़ा हुई
tato vyomni prādurabhūt teja eva hi kevalam | bhūtāni caiva sarvāṇi jajñur ārtiṁ viśāmpate prajānātha ||
قال بيشما: «ثم لم يظهر في السماء إلا وهجٌ محضٌ متأجّج. فاستولت الكُربة على جميع الكائنات الحيّة، يا سيّدَ الشعب، يا حاميَ الرعيّة».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical burden of rulership: when cosmic or social order is disturbed, the suffering spreads to all beings. A king (viśāmpati, prajānātha) is reminded that protecting subjects includes preventing conditions that lead to widespread anguish.
Bhīṣma describes an ominous phenomenon: the sky becomes filled with nothing but blazing radiance, and as a result all creatures experience distress. It functions as a portent within the Udyoga Parva’s buildup toward catastrophic conflict.