Shloka 236

भीष्मसेनासंनिवेशः — Bhīṣma’s Mobilization, Omens, and the Kaurava Array

Devanagari script

भ्राजमाना व्यरोचन्त जाम्बूनदमया ध्वजा: । इन सबके जाम्बूनद सुवर्णके बने हुए अत्यन्त ऊँचे ध्वज इनके श्रेष्ठ रथोंकी शोभा बढ़ाते हुए अत्यन्त प्रकाशित हो रहे थे

Transliteration

bhrājamānā vyarocanta jāmbūnadamayā dhvajāḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: The banners—fashioned of Jāmbūnada gold—shone brilliantly, heightening the splendor of those excellent chariots. In the ethical frame of the epic, this radiance underscores the outward majesty and martial preparedness of the warriors, even as the coming battle tests the inner discipline of dharma.

Word by Word

• भ्राजमानाः: shining, radiant
• भ्राजमानाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भ्राज्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• व्यरोचन्त: shone forth
• व्यरोचन्त: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: रुच्
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• जाम्बूनदमयाः: made of Jāmbūnada-gold
• जाम्बूनदमयाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जाम्बूनदमय
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• ध्वजाः: banners, standards
• ध्वजाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• dhvajāḥ (banners/standards)
• jāmbūnada (gold)
• ratha (chariots, implied by context)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the contrast between external brilliance (golden banners and royal display) and the deeper ethical trial of war: true worth is ultimately measured by adherence to dharma, not by splendor.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing the battlefield scene: the warriors’ chariots are adorned with tall, gold-made banners that gleam conspicuously, emphasizing the grandeur and readiness of the forces assembled for battle.