Shloka 30
आचार्य-क्षमा, देśa–kāla-नīti, तथा भेद-दोषः
Teacher-Reconciliation, Timing-Policy, and the Fault of Factionalism
ज्योतींषि न प्रकाशन्ते दारुणा मृगपक्षिण: । उत्पाता विविधा घोरा दृश्यन्ते क्षत्रनाशना:,सूर्य आदिका प्रकाश मंद पड़ गया है। भयंकर मृग और पक्षी सामने आ रहे हैं और क्षत्रियोंके संहारकी सूचना देनेवाले अनेक प्रकारके घोर उत्पात दिखायी देते हैं
jyotīṁṣi na prakāśante dāruṇā mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ | utpātā vividhā ghorā dṛśyante kṣatranāśanāḥ ||
Droṇa said: “The heavenly lights no longer shine as they should. Fierce beasts and birds appear in ominous ways, and many dreadful portents of various kinds are seen—signs that foretell the destruction of the warrior order. Such disturbances in nature warn that adharma is rising and that a great, unrighteous slaughter is near.”
द्रोण उवाच
Educational Q&A
When collective conduct turns toward adharma, nature is portrayed as reflecting that disorder through ominous signs. The verse functions as an ethical warning: impending violence—especially the ruin of the kṣatriya order—should prompt restraint, reflection, and a return to righteous counsel rather than prideful escalation.
Droṇa observes abnormal dimming of the luminaries and the appearance of fierce animals and birds, along with many terrifying portents. He interprets these as foretelling a catastrophic destruction of warriors, signaling that a major conflict and slaughter are imminent.