Shloka 72
उत्पातवर्णनम् (Utpāta-varṇanam) — Catalogue of Portents
शब्दरूपरसस्पर्शगन्धाश्वाविकृता: शुभा: । सदा हर्षश्व योधानां जयतामिह लक्षणम्,जिनके शब्द, रूप, रस, गन्ध और स्पर्श आदि निर्विकार एवं शुभ होते हैं तथा जिन योद्धाओंके हृदयमें सदा हर्ष और उत्साह बना रहता है, उनके विजयी होनेका यही शुभ लक्षण है
śabda-rūpa-rasa-sparśa-gandhāś ca avikṛtāḥ śubhāḥ | sadā harṣaś ca yodhānāṁ jayatām iha lakṣaṇam ||
Vyāsa said: “When sound, form, taste, touch, and smell appear untainted and auspicious, and when warriors keep steady joy and high spirit within their hearts, this is the favorable sign here that they are destined to be victorious.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Victory is indicated not only by external conditions but by inner steadiness: when sensory perceptions feel clear and auspicious and the warrior’s mind remains joyful and spirited, it is taken as a sign of favorable destiny and readiness for righteous combat.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s opening war context, Vyāsa describes traditional battlefield omens. He points to the condition of the senses and the morale of the fighters as indicators that a side is likely to prevail.