Shloka 8
Bhīṣma’s Fall, the Arrow-bed (śara-talpa), and the Establishment of Guard
कड्का गृश्रा बलाकाश्च व्याहरन्ति मुहुर्मुहुः । शिवाश्रवैवाशिवा घोरा वेदयन्त्यो महद् भयम्
sañjaya uvāca | kaṅkā gṛdhrā balākāś ca vyāharanti muhur muhuḥ | śivāś caiva aśivā ghorā vedayantyo mahad bhayam | vavāśire bhayakarā dīptāsyābhimukhe raveḥ ||
संजय बोले—कंक, गीध और बगुले बार-बार चिल्ला रहे हैं। और वे घोर, स्वभाव से ही अमंगलमयी गीदड़ियाँ सूर्य की ओर मुख करके, मानो महान् भय की सूचना देती हुई, ऐसे भयानक शब्द कर रही हैं कि उनके मुख ज्वाला-से दहकते प्रतीत होते हैं।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral gravity of war: nature itself is portrayed as signaling impending calamity. Such omens function as a reminder that adharma and mass violence invite भय (fear) and ruin, urging reflection on righteous conduct even amid inevitable conflict.
Sañjaya reports ominous signs on the battlefield—birds and she-jackals repeatedly crying and howling, turned toward the sun—interpreted as foretelling great danger and terror as the war intensifies.