पृथिवीक्षयशंसीनि निमित्तानि पितामह
pṛthivīkṣayaśaṃsīni nimittāni pitāmaha
হে পিতামহ! এই নিমিত্তসমূহে পৃথিৱীৰ ক্ষয় সূচায়—ব্যাপক ধ্বংসৰ ঘোষণা কৰে।
कर्ण उवाच
The verse highlights the moral gravity of war: when collective adharma ripens, nature itself seems to signal impending ruin. Omens function as ethical warnings—inviting reflection and restraint even when duty and ambition drive conflict.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s war setting, Karna addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Pitāmaha’ and points to ominous signs, interpreting them as portents of vast destruction and the earth’s suffering amid the coming battle.