Shloka 3
अध्याय २८१ — दानधर्मः, न्यायागतधनम्, ऋणत्रय-परिशोधनं च
Dāna ethics, lawful wealth, and settling obligations
रोमहर्षश्न तीव्रो5भूज्नि:श्वासश्च महान् नूप । शिवा चाशिवसंकाशा तस्य वक्त्रात् सुदारुणा
romaharṣaś ca tīvro ’bhūj niḥśvāsaś ca mahān nṛpa | śivā cāśivasaṅkāśā tasya vaktrāt sudāruṇā ||
毗湿摩说道：“大王啊，猛烈的战栗攫住了他，呼吸也变得沉重而强迫。自他口中迸出一声凄厉可怖的呼号——其声本身便是不祥，虽又仿佛带着被视为吉兆的‘śivā’之呼——预示着事态将有重大而险恶的转折。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner disturbance and ominous signs accompany morally weighty or fateful moments. In the Shānti context, it supports the ethical idea that actions and intentions have palpable consequences—sometimes reflected as fear, agitation, or ill-omens—urging a ruler to act with restraint and dharma.
Bhīṣma describes a person undergoing an intense physical reaction—shuddering, labored breathing—and emitting a terrifying cry from the mouth. The cry is paradoxically termed ‘śivā’ (auspicious) yet appears inauspicious, functioning as a narrative omen that something grave is occurring or about to occur.