Shloka 34
कर्णेन युधिष्ठिरानीकविदारणम् / Karṇa’s Breach of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Battle-Line
अधिष्ठानं मनश्लासीत् परिरथ्या सरस्वती । नानावर्णा्ष चित्राश्न पताका: पवनेरिता:,इति श्रीमहाभारते कर्णपर्वणि त्रिपुरवधोपाख्याने चतुमस्त्रिंशो 5ध्याय:
adhiṣṭhānaṃ manaślāśīt parirathyā sarasvatī | nānāvārṇāś citrāś ca patākāḥ pavaneritāḥ ||
Duryodhana said: “The royal seat and its surroundings appeared splendid; the avenues were graced as if by Sarasvatī herself. Many-colored, variegated banners, stirred and lifted by the wind, adorned the scene.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward grandeur—banners, color, and ceremonial display—can project power and auspiciousness, yet it also implicitly contrasts external splendor with the inner ethical crisis of war, reminding readers that spectacle does not guarantee righteousness.
Duryodhana describes a visually impressive setting: the central seat/stand and the surrounding avenues appear refined and auspicious, with multicolored banners fluttering in the wind, creating a triumphant, courtly atmosphere amid the martial context.