Shloka 9
Saptasārasvata-tīrtha-prasaṅgaḥ | The Saptasārasvata Pilgrimage Account and the Maṅkaṇaka Narrative
श्रुत्वा गीत॑ च तद् दिव्यं वादित्राणां च नि:स्वनम् छायाश्व विपुला दृष्टवा देवगन्धर्वरक्षसाम्
śrutvā gītaṃ ca tad divyaṃ vāditrāṇāṃ ca niḥsvanam | chāyāś ca vipulā dṛṣṭvā devagandharvarakṣasām ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Entendant ce chant céleste et la résonance des instruments, et voyant les formes immenses et saisissantes des Deva, des Gandharva et des Rākṣasa, les témoins furent saisis par l’impression que des puissances surhumaines s’étaient rassemblées autour du champ de bataille—un moment comme un présage, qui accroît la gravité morale de la guerre et les conséquences des choix en train d’être faits.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that human conflict—especially war driven by adharma—does not remain merely human in its scope: it draws the attention of higher and darker powers alike, reminding listeners that actions on the battlefield carry cosmic and ethical consequences.
A celestial song and the loud music of instruments are heard, and immense shadowy forms of Devas, Gandharvas, and Rākṣasas are perceived—suggesting a supernatural gathering or portent surrounding the events of the war.