Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 13
Inauspicious Omens and Arjuna’s Return from Dvārakā
शस्ता: कुर्वन्ति मां सव्यं दक्षिणं पशवोऽपरे । वाहांश्च पुरुषव्याघ्र लक्षये रुदतो मम ॥ १३ ॥
śastāḥ kurvanti māṁ savyaṁ dakṣiṇaṁ paśavo ’pare vāhāṁś ca puruṣa-vyāghra lakṣaye rudato mama
ಓ ಭೀಮಸೇನ, ಪುರುಷವ್ಯಾಘ್ರ! ಈಗ ಹಸುಗಳಂತಹ ಶುಭ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಎಡಬದಿಯಿಂದ ದಾಟುತ್ತಿವೆ; ಕತ್ತೆಗಳಂತಹ ನೀಚ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳು ಬಲಬದಿಯಿಂದ ಸುತ್ತುತ್ತಿವೆ. ನನ್ನ ಕುದುರೆಗಳು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಅಳುವಂತೆ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿವೆ.
FAQs
In Canto 1, Chapter 14, Arjuna describes widespread disturbing omens—animals moving irregularly and creatures crying—indicating a great change, connected with Lord Krishna’s departure from earthly vision.
Arjuna reports these signs to Yudhishthira (addressing him as “puruṣa-vyāghra,” tiger among men) to convey his fear that something grave has occurred, setting the narrative context for realizing Krishna’s disappearance.
The verse models alertness and honesty: notice changes, seek saintly counsel, and take shelter of bhakti—remembering that worldly stability shifts, while devotion to Krishna remains the devotee’s true refuge.