Shloka 18
Bhīṣma’s Recollection of the Duel: Charioteer’s Fall, Brahmin Protection, and Portents after Rāma’s Collapse
ततो व्योम्नि प्रादुरभूत् तेज एव हि केवलम् । भूतानि चैव सर्वाणि जम्मुरारतिं विशाम्पते,प्रजानाथ! फिर तो आकाशमें केवल आगकी ही ज्वाला प्रकट होने लगी। इससे समस्त प्राणियोंको बड़ी पीड़ा हुई
tato vyomni prādurabhūt teja eva hi kevalam | bhūtāni caiva sarvāṇi jajñur ārtiṁ viśāmpate prajānātha ||
پھر آسمان میں محض دہکتا ہوا نور ہی نمودار ہوا۔ اے رعایا کے نگہبان، اے لوگوں کے سردار! اس سے تمام جاندار سخت بے قراری اور تکلیف میں مبتلا ہو گئے۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical burden of rulership: when cosmic or social order is disturbed, the suffering spreads to all beings. A king (viśāmpati, prajānātha) is reminded that protecting subjects includes preventing conditions that lead to widespread anguish.
Bhīṣma describes an ominous phenomenon: the sky becomes filled with nothing but blazing radiance, and as a result all creatures experience distress. It functions as a portent within the Udyoga Parva’s buildup toward catastrophic conflict.