Shloka 6
रथज्यातलनिद्वदिर्बाणसिंहरवैस्तथा । तौ रथावभिधावन्तौ समालोक्य महीक्षिताम्,रथ, धनुषकी प्रत्यंचा और हथेलीके शब्द, बाणोंकी सनसनाहट तथा सिंहनादके साथ एक-दूसरेके सम्मुख दौड़ते हुए उन दोनों रथोंको देखकर एवं उनकी परस्पर सटी हुई ध्वजाओंका अवलोकन करके वहाँ आये हुए राजाओंको बड़ा विस्मय हुआ। कर्णकी ध्वजामें हाथीके साँकलका चिह्न था और किरीटथधारी अर्जुनकी ध्वजापर मूर्तिमान् वानर बैठा था
sañjaya uvāca | rathajyātalanidvair bāṇasiṃharavaistathā | tau rathāvabhidhāvantau samālokya mahīkṣitām |
Sañjaya said: Amid the twang of bowstrings, the slap of the bow against the palm, the hiss of arrows, and lion-like battle-cries, the two chariots charged straight at one another. Seeing them rush face to face—and their standards pressed close together—the assembled kings were struck with astonishment. Karṇa’s banner bore the emblem of an elephant’s chain, while on the banner of the crown-wearing Arjuna sat the manifest Vānara, Hanumān.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of direct confrontation and the moral weight of war as a public, witnessed act: the kings’ astonishment underscores how martial prowess, symbols (dhvajas), and reputation shape the ethical and psychological landscape of battle.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa and Arjuna driving their chariots toward each other amid loud battle sounds. The onlookers marvel, especially noting the distinctive banners: Karṇa’s with an elephant-chain emblem and Arjuna’s crowned standard bearing Hanumān.