Shloka 386
नाभ्यवर्तन्त राजान: सहिता वानरध्वजम् | महाराज! वे सब नरेश बाणोंसे पीड़ित हो गये थे। उनके विशाल ध्वज छिजत्न-भिन्न होकर बिखर गये थे। वे सब राजा एक साथ मिलकर भी कपिध्वज अर्जुनके सामने टिक न सके
na abhyavartanta rājānaḥ sahitā vānara-dhvajam |
Sañjaya said: Even when united together, the kings could not stand their ground before Arjuna, whose banner bore the emblem of the monkey. Struck and harried by his arrows, their great standards were torn and shattered, and their resolve broke in the face of his steadfast prowess.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores that collective power, status, and numbers do not guarantee victory; disciplined skill, steadfast courage, and alignment with a higher purpose can overturn apparent advantages. Ethically, it cautions rulers that authority without inner strength and right conduct collapses under pressure.
Sañjaya reports that many kings, even acting together, fail to hold their position against Arjuna (identified by the monkey-emblem banner). They are wounded by arrows, their large banners are torn apart, and they cannot endure his assault on the battlefield.