Shloka 4
Portents at the Birth of Diti’s Sons and Hiraṇyākṣa Challenges Varuṇa
सहाचला भुवश्चेलुर्दिश: सर्वा: प्रजज्वलु: । सोल्काश्चाशनय: पेतु: केतवश्चार्तिहेतव: ॥ ४ ॥
sahācalā bhuvaś celur diśaḥ sarvāḥ prajajvaluḥ solkāś cāśanayaḥ petuḥ ketavaś cārti-hetavaḥ
Trái đất cùng núi non rung chuyển; mọi phương như bừng cháy. Sao băng rực lửa và sét đánh giáng xuống; các tinh tú xấu như Sao Thổ, cùng sao chổi và thiên thạch cũng hiện ra—điềm báo khổ nạn lớn.
When natural disturbances occur on a planet, one should understand that a demon must have taken birth there. In the present age the number of demoniac people is increasing; therefore natural disturbances are also increasing. There is no doubt about this, as we can understand from the statements of the Bhāgavatam.
FAQs
This verse describes earthquakes, blazing directions, meteors, lightning, and comets as ārti-hetavaḥ—portents indicating impending distress and upheaval in the world-order.
In the narrative, these phenomena arise as ominous signs around the time of great conflict and the surge of adharma connected with Hiraṇyākṣa’s aggression.
It encourages vigilance: when warning signs appear—social, personal, or ethical—one should strengthen dharma, seek shelter in the Lord, and act responsibly rather than ignore consequences.