Shloka 49

Devanagari script

चन्द्रनक्षत्रभासै श्व वदनैश्वारुकुण्डलै:

Transliteration

candra-nakṣatra-bhāsaiḥ śva-vadanaiś cāru-kuṇḍalaiḥ

Translation

சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—(அந்த இடம்) சந்திரன்-நட்சத்திரங்கள் போல் ஒளிரும் (உருவங்களாலும்), நாய்முக வடிவங்களாலும், அழகிய குண்டலங்களாலும் நிரம்பியதுபோல் இருந்தது.

Word by Word

• चन्द्र: moon
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र
• Form: Masculine, Nominative/Accusative (in compound stem), Singular (as compound member)

• नक्षत्र: star/constellation
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (in compound stem), Singular (as compound member)

• भासैः: with lights/splendours
• भासैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भास्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• श्ववदनैः: with (those) having dog-like faces
• श्ववदनैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्ववदन
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• आरुकुण्डलैः: with (those) having shining/bright earrings
• आरुकुण्डलैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आरुकुण्डल
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• moon
• stars
• earrings

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse contributes to the Mahābhārata’s ethical atmosphere by portraying ominous, uncanny signs around the battlefield—suggesting that when adharma dominates, nature and perception themselves appear distorted, warning of grave consequences.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing a terrifying, supernatural-looking scene associated with the war: radiant appearances like moon and stars alongside dog-faced forms adorned with earrings—imagery typical of portents that heighten tension and foreshadow calamity.