Shloka 22
उत्पातवर्णनम् (Utpāta-varṇanam) — Catalogue of Portents
अग्निवर्णा यथा भास: शस्त्राणामुदकस्य च । कवचानां ध्वजानां च भविष्यति महाक्षय:,शस्त्रोंकी, जलकी, कवचोंकी और ध्वजाओंकी कान्तियाँ अग्निके समान लाल हो गयी हैं; अतः निश्चय ही महान् जनसंहार होगा
agnivarṇā yathā bhāsaḥ śastrāṇām udakasya ca | kavacānāṃ dhvajānāṃ ca bhaviṣyati mahākṣayaḥ ||
શસ્ત્રો, જળ, કવચો અને ધ્વજાઓની કાંતિ અગ્નિ જેવી લાલ બની ગઈ છે; આ એક શકુન છે—નિશ્ચયે મહા જનક્ષય થવાનો છે.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames war’s approach through ominous signs: when even neutral things (water, armor, banners) appear ‘fire-colored,’ it signals that violence is ripening into inevitable mass loss. Ethically, it underscores that adharma and accumulated hostility culminate in collective suffering, even when individuals feel compelled by duty.
Vyāsa reports a portent seen on the eve of battle: the luster of weapons and even water appears red like fire. He interprets this as a sure sign that a vast slaughter—mahākṣaya—is imminent in the Kurukṣetra conflict.