16.003
Seeing of calamity
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, even while the Vṛṣṇis, together with the Andhakas, were striving, Time continually moved among all their houses. (16-3-1)
A terrifying, grotesque, shaven-headed man with dark-tawny complexion, after observing the houses of the Vṛṣṇis, was never seen again anywhere. (16-3-2)
Great and terrible winds arose day by day—many hair-raising ones—for the destruction of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas. (16-3-3)
Grown mice, various songbirds, and mynah birds with their constant cries in the houses of the Vṛṣṇis; the sound does not cease, it continues day and night. (16-3-4)
O Bhārata, the cranes imitated the cry of owls that way, and the goats also mimicked the howl of the jackals. (16-3-5)
At that time, white, red-footed birds—pigeons impelled by fate—wandered in the houses of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas. (16-3-6)
Asses were born among cows, calves among mules, and also cats among female dogs; mice among mongooses as well. (16-3-7)
At that time, the Vṛṣṇis, doing sinful acts without any shame, hated Brāhmaṇas, their ancestors, and the gods in the same manner. (16-3-8)
Teachers were also disrespected, but Rāma and Janārdana were not. Wives disrespected their husbands, and husbands likewise disrespected their wives. (16-3-9)
The ignited fire turns to the left, emitting blue, red, and madder-colored flames separately. (16-3-10)
In that city, at every sunrise and sunset, the sun was always seen repeatedly by people, surrounded by headless bodies. (16-3-11)
O Bhārata, O king, in the kitchens, when the well-prepared cooked food was being brought out, worms were clearly seen. (16-3-12)
When the auspicious occasion was being proclaimed and while the great souls were reciting, sounds of people running about were heard, but no one was seen. (16-3-13)
They all saw stars, again and again striking each other, and being struck by planets; but by no means did they ever see their own (planet) being struck. (16-3-14)
As the sound of the Pāñcajanya conch echoed in the settlement of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, donkeys with harsh voices brayed loudly in response from all sides. (16-3-15)
Thus, seeing the arrival of the time cycle, Hṛṣīkeśa, on the thirteenth lunar day (trayodaśī) and new moon night (amāvāsyā), saw her and spoke this. (16-3-16)
This (lunar day), once made both the fourteenth and fifteenth by Rāhu, was once gained in the battle in Bhārata and has today come again for our destruction. (16-3-17)
Janardana, having considered and reflected on that time, thought that Kesisudana had now reached the thirty-sixth year. (16-3-18)
Gandhari, afflicted by grief for her son and with her relatives slain, what she spoke in her distress has now been presented here. (16-3-19)
And Yudhiṣṭhira spoke this, which had occurred at that time, recalling how, once, when the armies were arrayed for battle, he had witnessed very dreadful omens. (16-3-20)
Having thus spoken, Vasudeva, wishing to truly fulfill that, then ordered the pilgrimage, O subduer of foes. (16-3-21)
The men there, under Keśava's command, proclaimed: "O best among men, you must undertake a pilgrimage to the ocean." (16-3-22)
