Shloka 2
द्रोण-पार्थ-युद्धम्
Droṇa–Pārtha Strategic Engagement
ददृशुस्ते ध्वजाग्रं वै शुश्रुवुश्ष महास्वनम् । दोधूयमानस्य भृशं गाण्डीवस्थ च निः:स्वनम्
dadṛśus te dhvajāgraṃ vai śuśruvuś ca mahāsvanam | dodhūyamānasya bhṛśaṃ gāṇḍīvasya ca niḥsvanam ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Sie erblickten die hohe Spitze des Banners und vernahmen das mächtige Dröhnen—zugleich auch das scharfe, widerhallende Schnarren der Gāṇḍīva-Sehne, als der Bogen kraftvoll geschüttelt wurde. Anblick und Klang kündeten gemeinsam das Nahen eines furchtbaren Kriegers an und erfüllten das Feld mit der Gewissheit des bevorstehenden Kampfes.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible symbols (a banner’s crest) and audible signs (a mighty roar and the bow’s twang) communicate power and intent in a dharmic conflict: strength is not merely personal but publicly signaled, shaping morale and the ethical seriousness of the moment before battle.
Observers on the scene notice the banner’s high crest and hear a tremendous sound, including the reverberation of the Gāṇḍīva being forcefully shaken—an announcement of a great archer’s presence and the escalation toward open fighting.