Shloka 15
उत्पातवर्णनम् (Utpāta-varṇanam) — Catalogue of Portents
शुक्र: प्रोष्ठपदे पूर्वे समारुह्मु विरोचते । उत्तरे तु परिक्रम्य सहित: समुदीक्षते,शुक्र पूर्वा भाद्रपदापर आरूढ़ हो प्रकाशित हो रहा है और सब ओर घूम-फिरकर परिघ नामक उपग्रहके साथ उत्तरा भाद्रपदा नक्षत्रपर दृष्टि लगाये हुए है
śukraḥ proṣṭhapade pūrve samāruhya virocate | uttare tu parikramya sahitaḥ samudīkṣate |
Vyāsa describes an ominous celestial sign: the planet Venus, having risen in the asterism Pūrvā Proṣṭhapadā, shines conspicuously. Then, moving in a circling course, it is seen in conjunction with the comet-like body called Pari-gha, fixing its aspect toward Uttarā Proṣṭhapadā—an indication, in the epic’s war-context, of impending disturbance and grave consequences.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contributes to the Mahābhārata’s ethical-narrative framing of war: cosmic irregularities and ominous conjunctions are presented as signs that adharma and collective violence disturb the natural order, warning of suffering and urging reflection on righteous conduct.
Vyāsa reports a specific astronomical portent: Venus rises in Pūrvā Proṣṭhapadā, then appears to move in a circling manner and is seen together with the portent called Parigha, with its appearance directed toward Uttarā Proṣṭhapadā—part of the catalogue of signs preceding the great battle.