Shloka 8
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
दोधूयमाना रथिनां शोभयन्ति महारथान् | भरतश्रेष्ठ! इन्द्रधनुषके समान प्रभावाली फहराती हुई पताकाएँ रथियोंके विशाल रथोंकी शोभा बढ़ाती थीं ।। सिंहलाड्गूलमुग्रास्यं ध्वजं वानरलक्षणम्
sañjaya uvāca | dodhūyamānā rathināṃ śobhayanti mahārathān | bharataśreṣṭha! indradhanuṣake samāna-prabhāvālī phaharātī huī patākāeṃ rathiyoṃke viśāla rathoṃkī śobhā baṛhātī thīṃ || siṃhalāṅgūla-mugrāsyaṃ dhvajaṃ vānaralakṣaṇam ||
قال سنجيا: يا خيرَ آلِ بهاراتا، لقد ازداد المها-رَثيون بهاءً حين ارتفعت راياتهم—تهتزّ وتنساب—فوق عرباتهم العظيمة، متألقةً كقوس إندرا. وكان بينها لواءٌ عليه سِمةُ قردٍ، شديدُ الملامح، ذو ذيلٍ كذيل الأسد، يعلن بأسَ حامله وعزيمته وسط صخب الحرب.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward insignia—banners and emblems—serve as public declarations of identity, courage, and intent in war; ethically, it underscores the kṣatriya world where reputation, resolve, and visible standards reinforce collective morale and accountability.
Sanjaya describes the battlefield spectacle: great charioteers’ massive chariots are crowned by swaying, rainbow-bright banners, including a prominent standard bearing a monkey emblem with fierce, lion-tailed imagery.