Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 24
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
अश्रूणि मुमुचुर्नागा वेपथुं चास्पृशन् भृशम् । चारों ओर नीचे बालू और कंकड़ बरसानेवाली हवाएँ चलने लगीं। हाथी आँसू बहाने और थर-थर काँपने लगे || २३ ह || एतान् घोराननादृत्य समुत्पातान् सुदारुणान्
sañjaya uvāca | aśrūṇi mumucur nāgā vepathuṃ cāspṛśan bhṛśam | etān ghorān anādṛtya samutpātān sudāruṇān |
三阇耶说道：群象落泪，且被剧烈的战栗所攫。然则，他们无视这些可怖而至凶的征兆，刹帝利武士们——心中毫不动摇——再度整备赴战，怀着登天之愿，热烈地立于那秀美而具功德的俱卢之野（库鲁克舍特拉）。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of war: even when nature and animals signal catastrophe through ominous portents, warriors driven by kṣatriya ideals and the desire for heavenly reward may suppress fear and proceed. It invites reflection on whether steadfastness is true dharma or a tragic hardening of conscience.
Sañjaya reports ominous signs on the battlefield—elephants crying and trembling—yet the warriors ignore these prodigies and prepare again for combat on Kurukṣetra, energized by the hope of attaining heaven through a heroic death.