Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
ततो ववौ महाराज मारुतो लोमहर्षण: । राहुरग्रसदादित्यं युगपत् सोममेव च,महाराज! उस समय रोंगटे खड़े कर देनेवाली प्रचण्ड वायु चलने लगी। राहुने एक ही समय सूर्य और चन्द्रमा दोनोंको ग्रस लिये
tato vavau mahārāja māruto lomaharṣaṇaḥ | rāhur agrasad ādityaṃ yugapat somam eva ca ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: Pagkatapos, O dakilang hari, sumiklab ang isang mabangis na hangin na nagpapatindig-balahibo. Sa mismong sandaling iyon, nilamon ni Rāhu ang Araw, at kasabay nito’y nilamon din ang Buwan—isang masamang pangitain sa pag-usad ng mga pangyayari, na wari’y gumugulo sa kaayusan ng sansinukob at sumasalamin sa tensiyon ng salaysay.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights how extraordinary natural phenomena are read as moral and narrative signals in the Mahābhārata: when the cosmic order appears disturbed (violent winds, eclipses), it frames human actions as occurring under heightened ethical scrutiny and impending consequence.
A terrifying wind begins to blow, and an eclipse-like event is described: Rāhu 'seizes' the Sun and, at the same time, the Moon. This functions as an ominous portent marking a critical moment in the story.