Shloka 31
Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
सैनापत्ये यदा राजा गाड़ेयमभिषिक्तवान् | तदैतान्युग्ररूपाणि बभूवु: शतशो नृूप,नरेश्वर! राजा दुर्योधनने जब गंगानन्दन भीष्मको सेनापतिके पदपर अभिषिक्त किया, उसी समय ये सैकड़ों भयानक उत्पात प्रकट हुए
senāpatye yadā rājā gāṅgeyam abhiṣiktavān | tadaitāny ugrarūpāṇi babhūvuḥ śataśo nṛpa nareśvara ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: O hari ng mga tao! Nang italaga ni Haring Duryodhana si Bhīṣma—anak ng Gaṅgā—bilang punong kumandante, sa mismong sandaling iyon ay lumitaw ang daan-daang nakapanghihilakbot na masamang palatandaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a Mahābhārata motif: when political power and military preparation proceed under the shadow of adharma, nature and circumstance manifest ominous signs. It cautions that strategic success is not the only measure—ethical alignment (dharma) conditions the moral and cosmic atmosphere surrounding action.
As the Kurukṣetra war approaches, Duryodhana formally appoints Bhīṣma (Gaṅgā’s son) as commander-in-chief. Immediately, numerous terrifying portents appear, foreshadowing the catastrophic conflict and signaling the grave consequences of the unfolding decisions.