Shloka 5
Sauptika-parva Adhyāya 13 — Bhīmasena’s Pursuit of Drauṇi and the Release of a Divine Astra
वैनतेय: स्थितस्तस्यां प्रभामण्डलरश्मिवान् । तस्य सत्यवत: केतुर्भुजगारिरदृश्यत,उस ध्वजापर प्रभापुंज एवं किरणोंसे सुशोभित विनतानन्दन गरुड़ विराज रहे थे। सर्पोके शत्रु गरुड़ सत्यवान् श्रीकृष्णके रथकी पताकाके रूपमें दृष्टिगोचर हो रहे थे
vainateyaḥ sthitas tasyāṃ prabhāmaṇḍalaraśmivān | tasya satyavataḥ ketur bhujagārī dṛśyate ||
বৈষম্পায়ন বললেন—সেই রথে প্রভামণ্ডল ও কিরণমালায় দীপ্ত বিনতানন্দন গরুড় স্থিত ছিলেন। সত্যবান শ্রীকৃষ্ণের কেতু-রূপে, সর্পবৈরী গরুড় রথের ধ্বজদণ্ডে প্রত্যক্ষ হয়ে উঠেছিলেন।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how symbols on a warrior’s chariot can signify moral and spiritual authority: Garuḍa, the radiant serpent-slayer, as Kṛṣṇa’s banner suggests protection, vigilance, and the primacy of truth (satya) even amid the chaos of war.
The narrator describes the chariot’s standard: Garuḍa (Vainateya) appears as the banner of Kṛṣṇa, shining with a halo and rays, visibly crowning the chariot as an auspicious and formidable sign.