Shloka 13
Inauspicious Omens and Arjuna’s Return from Dvārakā
शस्ता: कुर्वन्ति मां सव्यं दक्षिणं पशवोऽपरे । वाहांश्च पुरुषव्याघ्र लक्षये रुदतो मम ॥ १३ ॥
śastāḥ kurvanti māṁ savyaṁ dakṣiṇaṁ paśavo ’pare vāhāṁś ca puruṣa-vyāghra lakṣaye rudato mama
O Bhīmasena, tiger among men: auspicious animals like cows now pass on my left, while low creatures like asses circle on my right; and my horses seem to weep at the sight of me.
FAQs
In Canto 1, Chapter 14, Arjuna describes widespread disturbing omens—animals moving irregularly and creatures crying—indicating a great change, connected with Lord Krishna’s departure from earthly vision.
Arjuna reports these signs to Yudhishthira (addressing him as “puruṣa-vyāghra,” tiger among men) to convey his fear that something grave has occurred, setting the narrative context for realizing Krishna’s disappearance.
The verse models alertness and honesty: notice changes, seek saintly counsel, and take shelter of bhakti—remembering that worldly stability shifts, while devotion to Krishna remains the devotee’s true refuge.