Shloka 16
अध्याय ४ — दुर्योधनस्य असंधि-निश्चयः
Duryodhana’s Refusal of Reconciliation
इन्द्रकार्मुकतुल्या भमिन्द्रकेतुमिवोच्छितम् । वानरं केतुमासाद्य संचचाल महाचमू:
indrakārmukatulyā bham indraketum ivocchritam | vānaradhvajaṃ ketum āsādya saṃcacāla mahācamūḥ ||
قال سنجيا: «رايته ذات القرد، متعددة الألوان كقوس قزح إندرا، شاهقة كراية إندرا، تعلو في السماء. وما إن نقترب من ذلك الشعار حتى تهتز جموعنا العظيمة—ويختلّ ثباتها من وطأة الخوف.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how symbols of righteousness, divine association, and heroic reputation can affect morale in war: an emblem (Arjuna’s Hanumān-banner) becomes a psychological force that steadies allies and unsettles opponents, showing that inner confidence and perceived dharmic support influence outcomes.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pandava side’s chariot-banner—Arjuna’s monkey-standard—appears brilliantly multicoloured like a rainbow and very tall like Indra’s standard; when the Kaurava troops come near it, their great army trembles and becomes fearful.