Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 8
Portents at the Birth of Diti’s Sons and Hiraṇyākṣa Challenges Varuṇa
मुहु: परिधयोऽभूवन् सराह्वो: शशिसूर्ययो: । निर्घाता रथनिर्ह्रादा विवरेभ्य: प्रजज्ञिरे ॥ ८ ॥
muhuḥ paridhayo ’bhūvan sarāhvoḥ śaśi-sūryayoḥ nirghātā ratha-nirhrādā vivarebhyaḥ prajajñire
Berulang kali tampak lingkaran berkabut mengitari matahari dan bulan, seolah saat gerhana; gemuruh terdengar meski tanpa awan, dan dari gua-gua gunung muncul bunyi seperti kereta perang berderak.
FAQs
In this verse, repeated halos around the sun and moon—appearing as if influenced by Rāhu—along with thunderous, chariot-like sounds in the sky are described as inauspicious portents indicating impending disturbance in the worlds.
Rāhu is traditionally associated with eclipses; the verse uses “as if with Rāhu” to convey an eclipse-like, ominous condition—symbolizing that powerful negative forces were about to manifest and shake cosmic order.
The Bhagavatam’s mood is to take shelter of the Lord and remain steady in dharma—recognizing that external upheavals are temporary while bhakti, remembrance of Bhagavān, and righteous conduct provide inner protection.