Shloka 2.69.12
भरतस्य दुःस्वप्नदर्शनम् — Bharata’s Ominous Dream
स्वप्नेऽपि सागरं शुष्कं चन्द्रं च पतितं भवि।उपरुद्धां च जगतीं तमसेव समावृताम्।।2.69.11।।औपवाह्यस्य नागस्य विषाणं शकलीकृतम्।सहसाचापि संशान्तं ज्वलितं जातवेदसम्।।2.69.12।।अवतीर्णां च पृथिवीं शुष्कां श्च विविधान् द्रुमान्।अहं पश्यामि विध्वस्तान् सधूमांश्चापि पर्वतान्।।2.69.13।।
aupavāhyasya nāgasya viṣāṇaṃ śakalīkṛtam | sahasā cāpi saṃśāntaṃ jvalitaṃ jātavedasam || 2.69.12 ||
In the dream I saw the tusk of a royal, ride-worthy elephant shattered into fragments, and a blazing fire suddenly quenched—portents of strength collapsing and auspicious order undone.
In that dream I beheld the sea being dried up and the Moon fallen onto the ground. I saw the earth as though enveloped by darkness and obscured, the tusk of an elephant worthy of a ride by the monarch broken into pieces, a blazing fire extinguished suddenly, the earth split open, various trees dried up and mountains crumbled and covered with smoke.
The verse frames ‘dharma’ indirectly through ominous symbols: royal power (elephant-tusk) and sacred order (fire) appear broken and extinguished. The implied lesson is vigilance—when signs of disorder arise, one should respond with responsibility, truthfulness, and care for the kingdom’s moral order rather than denial or complacency.
Bharata has awakened distressed after a frightening dream. He recounts specific dream-images as inauspicious omens, foreshadowing calamity in Ayodhya and danger to the royal household.
Bharata’s sincerity and moral sensitivity: he is deeply unsettled by signs that threaten righteousness and the welfare of others, showing conscientious concern rather than self-interest.