Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
गगनात् पुष्पवर्ष च पश्येदं पतितं भुवि । सुर्िंदेवगन्धर्वा ये च देवपुर:सरा:
gaganāt puṣpavarṣaṃ ca paśyedaṃ patitaṃ bhuvi | surāś ca devagandharvā ye ca devapuraḥsarāḥ ||
見よ——この花の雨が天より降り、地に落ちた。神々、天界のガンダルヴァたち、そして神々に先立って進む神聖なる者たち(従者・触れ役)もまた集い、この瞬間を寿いでいる。
श्षशुर उवाच
A shower of flowers from the sky functions as an auspicious sign: righteous or significant acts are portrayed as receiving cosmic recognition, reminding the listener that dharma is not merely social but also aligned with a larger moral order.
The speaker draws attention to a miraculous flower-rain descending to earth and notes the presence of gods and celestial beings, indicating a moment of celebration or divine endorsement within the Ashvamedhika Parva’s ritual-royal setting.