Shloka 61
Indratīrtha–Ādityatīrtha: Balarāma’s Ritual Bathing, Dāna, and Sacred-Historical Recollections
पुष्पाणां भरतश्रेष्ठ दिव्यानां पुण्यगन्धिनाम् । देवदुन्दुभयश्चापि नेदुस्तत्र महास्वना:
puṣpāṇāṃ bharataśreṣṭha divyānāṃ puṇyagandhinām | devadundubhayaś cāpi nedus tatra mahāsvanāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «¡Oh, el mejor de los Bharatas! Llovieron flores celestiales, fragantes con perfume sagrado; y allí mismo resonaron los tambores divinos (devadundubhi) con un estruendo poderoso». La escena anuncia una aprobación solemne y de otro mundo, como si el cosmos entero diera testimonio del peso moral de lo que acaba de ocurrir.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata motif that actions of great moral and historical weight are not merely human events: they are witnessed and, at times, marked by cosmic signs. Such omens suggest that dharma and karma operate on a scale larger than personal victory or defeat.
In the midst of the Shalya Parva’s war narrative, Vaiśampāyana describes a moment being honored by supernatural portents: heavenly flowers fall and divine drums thunder. This is a conventional epic signal that a significant deed or turning point has just taken place and is being acknowledged by higher beings.