Shloka 67
उत्पातवर्णनम् (Utpāta-varṇanam) — Catalogue of Portents
इष्टा वाच: प्रसृता वायसानां सम्प्रस्थितानां च गमिष्यतां च । ये पृष्ठतस्ते त्वरयन्ति राजन् ये चाग्रतस्ते प्रतिषेधयन्ति,जिनके प्रस्थित होनेपर अथवा प्रस्थानके लिये उद्यत होनेपर कौवोंकी मीठी आवाज फैलती है, उनकी विजय सूचित होती है। राजन्! जो कौवे पीछे बोलते हैं, वे मानो सिद्धिकी सूचना देते हुए शीघ्रतापूर्वक आगे बढ़नेके लिये प्रेरित करते हैं और जो सामने बोलते हैं, वे मानो युद्धमें जानेसे रोकते हैं
iṣṭā vācaḥ prasṛtā vāyasānāṃ samprasthitānāṃ ca gamiṣyatāṃ ca | ye pṛṣṭhatas te tvarayanti rājan ye cāgratas te pratiṣedhayanti ||
Vyāsa said: “When one is setting out, or just about to depart, and the crows’ pleasing calls spread around, it is taken as a sign of success. O King, the crows that cry from behind seem to urge swift advance, as though announcing attainment; but those that cry from the front seem to restrain one, as though warning against going into battle.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents traditional omen-reading: the same natural sign (crows calling) is interpreted differently by direction—behind as encouragement toward success, ahead as a caution—highlighting how leaders weigh signs and counsel before entering perilous action like war.
Vyāsa addresses the king and explains the significance of crow-calls at the moment of departure, interpreting them as auspicious or inauspicious indicators for an impending expedition, implicitly connected with the decision to proceed toward battle.