Shloka 26
Udyoga Parva 142: Vidura’s warning to Kuntī and Kuntī’s resolve to meet Karṇa
Gaṅgātīra encounter begins
कृष्णग्रीवाश्व॒ शकुना रक्तपादा भयानका: । संध्यामभिमुखा यान्ति तत् पराभवलक्षणम्,'संध्याकालमें काली ग्रीवा और लाल पैरवाले भयानक पक्षी सामने आ जाते हैं, वह भी पराजयका ही चिह्न है
sañjaya uvāca | kṛṣṇagrīvāśva-śakunā raktapādā bhayānakāḥ | sandhyām abhimukhā yānti tat parābhava-lakṣaṇam ||
Sañjaya nói: “Những loài chim ghê rợn, cổ đen chân đỏ, được thấy bay thẳng về phía giờ hoàng hôn. Điềm ấy là dấu hiệu của thất bại sắp đến.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the traditional epic worldview in which moral and political crises are mirrored by ominous natural signs; such portents warn leaders to reflect, restrain aggression, and avert ruin through wise counsel and dharmic conduct.
Sañjaya reports inauspicious portents: fearsome birds with black necks and red feet appear and move toward twilight, which he interprets as a clear sign that defeat is approaching for one side in the coming conflict.