Shloka 25
Adhyāya 74 (Book 6, Bhīṣma-parva): Bhīma–Duryodhana re-engagement and afternoon escalation
निरभश्रे विद्युतस्तीव्रा दिशश्व॒ रजसा5<वृता: । प्रादुरासन् महोल्काश्न सनिर्घाता विशाम्पते,प्रजानाथ! बिना बादलके ही दु:ःसह बिजलियाँ चमकने लगीं, सम्पूर्ण दिशाएँ धूलसे भर गयीं और भयंकर वज्रपातकी-सी आवाजके साथ बड़ी-बड़ी उल्काएँ गिरने लगीं
sañjaya uvāca | nirabhraśre vidyutas tīvrā diśaś ca rajasāvṛtāḥ | prādurāsan maholkāś ca sanirghātā viśāmpate prajānātha ||
Sañjaya disse: “Ó senhor do povo, protetor dos súditos—embora o céu estivesse sem nuvens, relâmpagos ferozes cintilaram; todos os quadrantes foram velados pela poeira; e, com estrondos como golpes de raio, grandes meteoros surgiram e caíram.” A cena é apresentada como um presságio sombrio e moral: a própria natureza parece protestar contra a matança iminente, advertindo que a guerra movida pelo adharma traz desordem ao mundo.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents unnatural portents—lightning without clouds, dust-filled horizons, falling meteors—as a moral warning: when rulers and warriors proceed toward destructive conflict, the world’s order (dharma) is felt to be disturbed, and nature mirrors that imbalance.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra a series of terrifying battlefield omens: despite a clear sky, lightning flashes; dust obscures all directions; and large meteors fall with thunderous sounds—signaling impending calamity as the war intensifies.