Shloka 187
अनुक्रमणिकाध्यायः (Anukramaṇikā Adhyāya) — Invocation, Narrator Frame, and Textual Scope
यदा वायुश्नन्द्रसूर्यों च युक्तौ कौन्तेयानामनुलोमा जयाय । नित्यं चास्माउश्वापदा भीषयन्ति तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय,जब वायु अनुकूल बहकर और चन्द्रमा-सूर्य लाभस्थानमें संयुक्त होकर पाण्डवोंकी विजयकी सूचना दे रहे हैं और कुत्ते आदि भयंकर प्राणी प्रतिदिन हमलोगोंको डरा रहे हैं। संजय! तब मैंने विजयके सम्बन्धमें अपनी आशा छोड़ दी
yadā vāyuś candrasūryau ca yuktau kaunteyānām anulomā jayāya | nityaṃ cāsmān śvāpadā bhīṣayanti tadā nāśaṃse vijayāya saṃjaya ||
When the wind blows favorably and the Moon and Sun appear conjoined in auspicious positions—seeming to announce victory for the sons of Kuntī—yet, at the same time, terrifying beasts such as dogs continually frighten us, then, Sañjaya, I no longer hold any hope for victory.
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata theme that external signs (omens) can be contradictory and that fear and moral uncertainty can eclipse confidence. It also reflects how leaders interpret nature and portents as indicators of dharma’s alignment and the likely outcome of conflict.
The speaker addresses Saṃjaya, noting that although some celestial and natural signs seem favorable for the Pāṇḍavas, repeated frightening appearances of ominous creatures create dread. Because of these mixed portents, he abandons hope of victory.