Shloka 4
उल्कापाता दिशां दाहो भूमिकम्पस्तथैव च । प्रादुर्भूत: क्षणे तस्मिंस्तदद्भुतमिवा भवत्,उसी क्षण उल्काएँ टूटकर गिरने लगीं। दिशाओंमें दाह होने लगा और धरती डोलने लगी। यह सब आश्वर्यकी-सी घटना घटित हुई
ulkāpātā diśāṃ dāho bhūmikampas tathaiva ca | prādurbhūtaḥ kṣaṇe tasmiṃs tad adbhutam ivābhavat ||
بھیشم نے کہا—اسی لمحے شہابِ ثاقب گرنے لگے، سمتیں گویا دہک اٹھیں اور زمین لرزنے لگی۔ یہ سب کچھ یکایک ظاہر ہوا اور ایک عجیب فالِ غریب کی مانند محسوس ہوا۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames sudden cosmic disturbances—meteors, blazing quarters, and an earthquake—as meaningful portents. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical world, such signs remind rulers and listeners that human conduct (dharma/adharma) is mirrored by disorder or harmony in the wider cosmos, urging vigilance, restraint, and reflection on right action.
Bhīṣma reports that, in a single instant, extraordinary phenomena appeared: meteors fell, the directions seemed to burn, and the earth shook. He presents these as an uncanny, wonder-like event—an omen marking a significant turn in the surrounding discourse and events.