06.002
Pancharatra-Ext: Vyasa arrives on the scene, and as Dhritarashtra desires to hear about the war, grants divine vision to Sanjaya. Narrates the various omens showing the impending destruction.
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
Then, Vyasa, the son of Satyavati and the best among all knowers of the Vedas, observed the morning and evening twilight.
The divine grandfather of the Bharatas, who is a direct witness and knower of all times, will be present in the terrible battle.
Vaicitravirya, the king, revealed this secret to his sons who were lamenting and distressed, meditating on their misfortune at that time.
Vyasa spoke:
O king, the time has come for your sons and other kings. They will meet in battle and kill each other.
O Bhārata, as everything is overcome by time and perishes, understand the course of time and do not let your mind dwell in sorrow.
If you desire to witness this battle, O lord of the people, I grant you the vision; behold and observe this battle.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
I do not wish to witness the slaughter of my kin, O revered sage. Let me hear about this battle's outcome through your divine power.
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
In that situation, he does not wish to see the battle but desires to hear about it. The lord, who is the giver of boons, granted a boon to Sañjaya.
Vyasa said:
Sanjaya will narrate to you, O King, the events of this battle. Everything will be witnessed directly in the battle, not indirectly.
O King, Sanjaya, endowed with divine vision, will narrate the battle to you and will become all-knowing.
Sanjaya will know everything, whether it is in the light or in secret, at night or during the day, even what is thought in the mind.
Weapons cannot harm him, nor can fatigue trouble him. Gāvalgaṇi will be freed from this battle of life.
O best of the Bharatas, I will spread the fame of these Kurus and all the Pandavas. Do not worry.
This has been destined from the past, and you should not lament over it. It is not possible to control, for where there is righteousness, there is victory.
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
After speaking thus, the revered great-grandfather of the Kurus addressed the mighty-armed Dhritarashtra once more.
O great king, today I observe these omens indicating great destruction in the battle.
Hawks, vultures, crows, and herons, along with their forces, fly through the forest regions, forming assemblies.
The Brahmins, delighted by the battle, witness the terrifying carnivores feasting on the flesh of elephants and horses.
The Kahvas, filled with fear, proceed noisily towards the south, making the sound 'khaṭā-khaṭa' as they shout to Bhairava.
O Bhārata, I always witness both the morning and evening twilights, seeing the sun rise and set, surrounded by headless trunks.
The white, red, and black-necked clouds with lightning, appearing in three colors, indeed block the sun at the horizon.
I have seen the blazing sun, moon, and stars, indistinguishable between day and night; this vision foretells destruction.
On the full moon night of the Kārtika month, the moon, devoid of its usual brightness, appeared invisible and took on a fiery hue, blending uniformly in the sky.
The slain heroes will lie on the ground, covering it, as they sleep; the kings, princes, and warriors with arms like iron bars will rest.
In the sky, I can always see the terrifying battle cries of Varaha and Vrishadansha as they fight each other at night.
The idols of gods tremble and laugh, vomiting blood from their mouths, sweating and falling down.
"O lord of the people, the drums resound without being struck. The great chariots of the warriors are moving without being prepared."
Cuckoos, lotuses, blue jays, cranes, parrots, and peacocks all emit harsh voices.
At dawn, hundreds of swarms of locusts are seen, mounted on horses, armored, and adorned with weapons and ornaments.
Both dawn and dusk shone ominously, with the directions ablaze. There was a rain of blood and bones, O Bhārata.
O king, this is Arundhati, renowned and esteemed for her virtue across the three worlds. Even she has placed Vasistha behind her.
O King, Saturn is currently afflicting Rohini. This will result in a significant fear as the mark of the Moon is withdrawn.
In the cloudless sky, a very terrible thunder is heard constantly, and teardrops fall from the crying vehicles.
