Shloka 18
Kaurava Court Hears of the Pāṇḍavas’ Forest Hardship (वैचित्रवीर्यवंशीयस्य राज्ञः करुणाविचारः)
सरित्सिन्धुरपीयं तु प्रत्यसूृग्वाहिनी भृशम् । शृगालिन्यग्निवक्त्रा च प्रत्यादित्यं विराविणी,“यह सिन्धु नदी भी उलटी धारामें बहकर रक्तके स्रोत बहा रही है। सियारिन मुँहसे आग उगलती हुई-सी सूर्यकी ओर देखकर रोती है
Markaṇḍeya uvāca |
sarit-sindhur apīyaṃ tu pratyasūrg-vāhinī bhṛśam |
śṛgāliny agni-vaktrā ca pratyādityaṃ virāviṇī |
قال ماركاندييا: «حتى نهرُ السِّندهو هذا يجري بعنفٍ على خلاف مجراه الطبيعي، كأنه يحمل جداولَ من دم. وتلك ابنةُ آوى، وفمُها كأنه يقذف نارًا، تعوي وهي تواجه الشمس.»
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When adharma rises, the world is portrayed as losing its natural balance; ominous signs in nature function as ethical warnings that collective wrongdoing leads to widespread suffering and impending catastrophe.
Markandeya describes terrifying portents: the Sindhu seems to run contrary to its course like a torrent of blood, and a she-jackal appears ‘fire-mouthed’ and cries while facing the sun—signals of an approaching disaster.