Shloka 276
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
दीपयामास तत् सैन्यं पाण्डवस्य महात्मन: । अमित तेजस्वी अर्जुनका वह ध्वज सूर्यके मार्गतक फैला हुआ था। वह सम्पूर्ण सेनाओंके लिये श्रेष्ठ आश्रय तथा समस्त धनुर्धरोंके तेजका पुंज था। वह ध्वज पाण्डुनन्दन महात्मा युधिष्ठिरकी सेनाको अपनी दिव्य प्रभासे उद्भधासित कर रहा था
sañjaya uvāca | dīpayāmāsa tat sainyaṃ pāṇḍavasya mahātmanaḥ | amita-tejasvī arjunasya dhvajaḥ sūrya-mārga-takaṃ vistṛtaḥ | sa sarva-sainyānāṃ śreṣṭha āśrayaḥ samasta-dhanurdharāṇāṃ tejaḥ-puñjaś ca | sa dhvajaḥ pāṇḍu-nandanaṃ mahātmā yudhiṣṭhirasya senāṃ sva-divya-prabhayā udbhāsayāmāsa ||
Sañjaya said: “The mighty host of the Pāṇḍavas was lit up. Arjuna’s banner, blazing with immeasurable radiance and spread out along the sun’s path, stood as the finest refuge for all the armies and as a concentrated mass of the splendour of all bowmen. With its divine brilliance that standard made the army of the great Pāṇḍu’s son Yudhiṣṭhira shine forth.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, symbols of righteous leadership—here, Arjuna’s radiant standard—serve as moral and psychological refuge, strengthening resolve and unity. Splendour is portrayed not merely as display, but as protective confidence aligned with dharma.
Sañjaya describes how Arjuna’s immensely radiant banner, likened to spreading along the sun’s course, illuminates and heartens the Pāṇḍava forces—especially the army under Yudhiṣṭhira—presenting it as a foremost support for the warriors.