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 ||
Vyāsa said: “The gleam of the weapons, the water, the coats of mail, and the banners has turned fire-red, as if aflame. This is an omen: surely a great destruction of men is about to occur.”
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.