Shloka 3.23.13
महोत्पात-लक्षणानि (Omens before Khara’s Assault)
उत्पेतुश्च विना रात्रिं ताराः खद्योतसप्रभाः।संलीनमीनविहगा नलिन्यश्शुष्कपङ्कजाः।।।।तस्मिन् क्षणे बभूवुश्च विना पुष्पफलैर्द्रुमाः।
utpetuś ca vinā rātriṃ tārāḥ khadyotasaprabhāḥ |
saṃlīnamīnavihagā nalinyaḥ śuṣkapaṅkajāḥ ||
tasmin kṣaṇe babhūvuś ca vinā puṣpaphalair drumāḥ || 3.23.13 ||
Even without nightfall, stars arose, glittering like fireflies. Fish and water-birds vanished from sight; lotus-ponds bore withered lotuses; and in that very moment the trees stood stripped of flowers and fruits.
The stars rose in the sky and glittered like fire-flies even before night arrived. The fishes and the aquatic birds in the lotus-ponds hid themselves under water. Lotuses dried up in tanks and the trees stood bereft of flowers and fruits.
When adharma advances, harmony recedes: the imagery teaches that righteous order supports flourishing, while unrighteousness correlates with barrenness and fear.
A cascade of unnatural signs appears—stars by day, wildlife hiding, lotuses drying, trees losing fruit—foretelling calamity for the aggressor.
Non-violence toward the world (loka-anukampā) is implied by contrast: life withdraws where violence approaches.