Shloka 16
अग्निभय-प्रसङ्गे मन्दपालस्य शोकः
Mandapāla’s Lament amid the Threat of Fire
दिधक्षत्रिव तत्र सम संस्थितो मूर्थ््यशोभत । ध्वजे भूतानि तत्रासन् विविधानि महान्ति च
didhakṣatriva tatra saṃ saṃsthito mūrthy aśobhat | dhvaje bhūtāni tatrāsan vividhāni mahānti ca ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: «هناك، وقد ثبت في موضعه، كان يلمع بهيبةٍ آمرة كهيبة كشتريا عظيم. وعلى الراية ظهرت صورٌ كثيرة، عظيمة ومتنوّعة—نُذُرٌ وشعارات تُعلن السلطان وتبعث الرهبة.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward symbols—stance, bearing, and the banner’s emblems—communicate authority and inspire confidence or fear. In the epic’s ethical world, such signs are tied to kṣatriya duty: to uphold order through visible strength and disciplined presence.
Vaiśampāyana describes a figure standing firmly and shining with warrior-like majesty, while the banner nearby bears many large and varied figures. The scene emphasizes martial display and the atmosphere of power, as conveyed through standards and their symbolic imagery.