Mahabharata 3.174.48 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 174, Shloka 48
Kailāsa-darśana, Badarī-vāsa, and Sarasvatī–Dvaitavana Transition (कैलासदर्शन–बदरीवास–सरस्वतीद्वैतवनगमनम्)
शालावृकाण्णा प्रेतानां भुरुण्डानां च सर्वशः गृध्राणां गरुडानां च चमराणां तथैव च
śālāvṛkāṇṇā pretānāṃ bhuruṇḍānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ | gṛdhrāṇāṃ garuḍānāṃ ca camarāṇāṃ tathaiva ca ||
അർജുനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—എങ്ങും കുറുക്കന്മാർ, പ്രേതഗണങ്ങൾ, ഭുരുണ്ഡങ്ങൾ കണ്ടു; അതുപോലെ കഴുകന്മാർ, ഗരുഡന്മാർ, ചാമരങ്ങളും.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a catalogue of ominous beings—scavengers and spirit-hosts—to convey foreboding. Ethically, it highlights the need for discernment: appearances and signs can signal danger, prompting vigilance and right action rather than panic.
Arjuna reports what he perceives around him: jackals, pretas, bhuruṇḍas, vultures, garuḍas, and chamaras appearing in all directions. The list functions as an atmospheric omen-description, intensifying the sense of an uncanny or threatening situation.
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