Shloka 38
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
विष्वग्वाताश्न विववुर्नीचै: शर्करकर्षिण: । रजश्लोद्धूयत महत् तम आच्छादयज्जगत्,वहाँ सब ओर नीचे बालू और कंकड़ बरसाती हुई तीव्र वायु बह रही थी। उस समय इतनी धूल उड़ी कि जगत्में घोर अन्धकार छा गया
viśvag vātāśanā vivavur nīcaiḥ śarkarākarṣiṇaḥ | rajaś coddhūyata mahat tama āchādayaj jagat |
Sanjaya said: “Fierce winds blew in all directions, sweeping low and dragging along sand and pebbles. A vast cloud of dust was hurled up, and a heavy darkness spread, veiling the world.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse conveys that when a great conflict escalates, the outer world can be portrayed as reflecting inner and social turmoil. The imagery of dust and darkness functions as an ethical warning: violence and adharma generate confusion (tamas) and obscuration of right judgment, suggesting the need for clarity, restraint, and dharmic discernment even amid war.
Sañjaya reports ominous battlefield conditions: powerful winds blow close to the ground, carrying sand and pebbles; dust rises massively and darkness covers everything. It sets a foreboding tone around the Kurukṣetra battle, emphasizing dread and disorder.