Shloka 58

Devanagari script

एष ध्वजाग्रे पार्थस्य प्रेक्षणीय: समनन्‍्तत: । दृश्यते वानरो भीमो द्विषतामघवर्धन:,'अर्जुनके ध्वजके अग्रभागपर यह सब ओरसे देखनेयोग्य भयंकर वानर दृष्टिगोचर होता है, जो शत्रुओंका दुःख बढ़ानेवाला है

Transliteration

eṣa dhvajāgre pārthasya prekṣaṇīyaḥ samanantataḥ | dṛśyate vānaro bhīmo dviṣatām aghavardhanaḥ ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: “Behold—at the very front of Pārtha’s banner there appears a fearsome monkey, worthy of being looked at from every side, a sight that augments the distress of his foes.”

Word by Word

एषःthis (one)

ध्वजाग्रेon the tip/front of the banner

पार्थस्यof Partha (Arjuna)

प्रेक्षणीयःworth seeing, to be looked at

समन्ततःon all sides, all around

दृश्यतेis seen, appears

वानरःmonkey

भीमःterrible, formidable

द्विषताम्of the haters/enemies

अघवर्धनःincreaser of distress/sin (i.e., one who increases enemies' suffering)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Pārtha (Arjuna)

Arjuna’s banner (dhvaja)

Vānara (Hanumān)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Righteous strength is not merely personal prowess; it is also the support of dharmic allies and auspicious signs. Hanumān on Arjuna’s banner symbolizes protective power and steadfast devotion aligned with dharma, which morally and psychologically weakens those who fight for adharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a formidable monkey is visible at the forefront of Arjuna’s banner. This refers to Hanumān seated on Arjuna’s flag, presented as an awe-inspiring sight and an omen that increases the fear and misfortune of Arjuna’s enemies in the battle context.