Shloka 17
Kaurava Court Hears of the Pāṇḍavas’ Forest Hardship (वैचित्रवीर्यवंशीयस्य राज्ञः करुणाविचारः)
सूर्याचन्द्रमसोर्घोरें दृश्यते परिवेषणम् । एतस्मिन्नेव रात्रयन्ते महद् युद्ध तु शंसति,“अहो! इस समय चन्द्रमा और सूर्यपर यह भयंकर घेरा दिखायी दे रहा है। इससे सूचित होता है कि रात बीतते-बीतते भारी युद्ध छिड़ जायगा
sūryācandramasor ghoreṃ dṛśyate pariveṣaṇam | etasminn eva rātryante mahad yuddha tu śaṃsati ||
قال ماركاندييا: «تُرى هالةٌ مروّعة تحيط بالشمس والقمر. وهذا الطالع ينذر بأنه قبل أن تنقضي هذه الليلة نفسها ستندلع حربٌ عظيمة.»
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata theme that moral and social upheavals are often preceded by cosmic portents; such signs urge vigilance and reflection on dharma, because impending violence carries grave ethical consequences.
Mārkaṇḍeya reports an ominous celestial phenomenon—a halo around the Sun and Moon—and interprets it as a prediction that a major battle will erupt before the night ends.