Shloka 39
Adhyāya 283: Varṇa-vṛtti, Nyāya-ārjana, and the Decline-and-Restoration of Dharma (वर्णवृत्तिः न्यायार्जनं च)
अग्नयो नैव दीप्यन्ते नैव दीप्ति भास्कर: । ग्रहा नैव प्रकाशन्ते नक्षत्राणि न चन्द्रमा:
agnayo naiva dīpyante naiva dīpti bhāskaraḥ | grahā naiva prakāśante nakṣatrāṇi na candramāḥ ||
அப்போது அக்னிகள் எரியவில்லை; பாஸ்கரனின் ஒளியும் மங்கியது. கிரகங்களும் ஒளியளிக்கவில்லை; நட்சத்திரங்களும் இல்லை; சந்திரனும் இல்லை.
दक्ष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse conveys that adharma—especially the humiliation of the worthy and the corruption of sacred rites—produces not only social harm but a symbolic ‘cosmic’ imbalance, where light (clarity, auspiciousness, order) withdraws and darkness (confusion, fear, disorder) prevails.
Dakṣa describes ominous signs: ritual fires fail, and celestial lights (Sun, planets, stars, Moon) lose their brilliance. This darkness marks a crisis surrounding the sacrificial setting, foreshadowing violent disruption after Rudra’s followers are dishonoured.