Shloka 18
Udyoga Parva 142: Vidura’s warning to Kuntī and Kuntī’s resolve to meet Karṇa
Gaṅgātīra encounter begins
मयूरा: पुण्यशकुना हंससारसचातका: । जीवंजीवकसडसघाश्षाप्यनुगच्छन्ति पाण्डवान्,“मोर, शुभ शकुन सूचित करनेवाले मुर्गे, हंस, सारस, चातक तथा चकोरोंके समुदाय पाण्डवोंका अनुसरण करते हैं
sañjaya uvāca | mayūrāḥ puṇyaśakunā haṃsasārasacātakāḥ | jīvaṃjīvakasāḍasaghāś cāpy anugacchanti pāṇḍavān |
三阇耶说道：“孔雀——吉祥之鸟——与天鹅、鹤、苍鹭、查塔卡鸟，以及成群其他示兆之鸟，都被看见追随般度族。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses traditional omen-language to imply that moral merit (puṇya) and auspicious destiny align with the Pāṇḍavas. In the epic’s ethical frame, favorable signs are read as nature’s and providence’s endorsement of a dharmic cause.
Sañjaya reports to the Kuru court that auspicious birds are observed accompanying the Pāṇḍavas. This functions as a narrative signal—amid preparations for war—that the Pāṇḍavas are being ‘followed’ by good omens, foreshadowing their eventual success.