Shloka 11
Inauspicious Omens and Arjuna’s Return from Dvārakā
ऊर्वक्षिबाहवो मह्यं स्फुरन्त्यङ्ग पुन: पुन: । वेपथुश्चापि हृदये आराद्दास्यन्ति विप्रियम् ॥ ११ ॥
ūrv-akṣi-bāhavo mahyaṁ sphuranty aṅga punaḥ punaḥ vepathuś cāpi hṛdaye ārād dāsyanti vipriyam
The left side of my body—thighs, arms, and eyes—keeps quivering again and again, and my heart trembles in fear; all this foretells unwelcome events.
Material existence is full of undesirables. Things we do not want are forced upon us by some superior energy, and we do not see that these undesirables are under the grip of the three modes of material nature. When a man’s left eye, arm and thigh all quiver constantly, one must know that something is going to happen which is undesirable. These undesirables are compared to fire in a forest. No one goes into the forest to set fires, but fires automatically take place in the forest, creating inconceivable calamities for the living beings of the forest. Such a fire cannot be extinguished by any human efforts. The fire can be extinguished only by the mercy of the Lord, who sends clouds to pour water on the forest. Similarly, undesirable happenings in life cannot be checked by any number of plans. Such miseries can be removed only by the mercy of the Lord, who sends His bona fide representatives to enlighten human beings and thus save them from all calamities.
FAQs
In this verse, Arjuna notes twitching of limbs and trembling of the heart as omens indicating that an inauspicious event is imminent.
In the narrative of Krishna’s disappearance, Arjuna senses impending calamity through disturbing bodily signs, foreshadowing the loss of Lord Krishna’s presence and its consequences.
It teaches attentiveness and humility: when warning signs appear—internally or externally—pause, seek clarity, take shelter in prayer, and act responsibly rather than becoming careless.