Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 21
शिबिकाश्च विचित्रा वै रथाश्चैव सहस्रशः । सर्वत्र दह्यमानं च दृष्ट्वा राजापि विव्यथे
śibikāśca vicitrā vai rathāścaiva sahasraśaḥ | sarvatra dahyamānaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā rājāpi vivyathe
Usungan berhias dan ribuan kereta perang turut terbakar. Melihat api marak di serata tempat, raja sendiri pun ditimpa dukacita dan ketakutan.
Narrator (contextual Purāṇic narrator; specific speaker not explicit in the snippet)
Scene: A royal camp or city street filled with ornate palanquins and countless chariots engulfed in flames; the king stands stunned, face strained with fear, surrounded by smoke and sparks.
FAQs
Authority cannot shield one from the moral order; when dharma is violated, even kings experience helplessness.
Dharmāraṇya is the overarching sacred setting; the verse itself highlights the dramatic event.
None.