Shloka 7
ध्वजौ च दृष्टवा संसक्तौ विस्मय: समपद्यत । हस्तिकक्षं च कर्णस्य वानरं च किरीटिन:,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
dhvajau ca dṛṣṭvā saṃsaktau vismayaḥ samapadyata | hastikakṣaṃ ca karṇasya vānaraṃ ca kirīṭinaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the two standards pressed close together, the assembled kings were struck with wonder. For Karṇa’s banner bore the emblem of an elephant’s chain, while on the banner of the diademed Arjuna sat the monkey made manifest—Hanumān—an awe-inspiring sign as the two champions closed upon each other in battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward signs—banners and emblems—carry moral and psychological weight in epic warfare: they represent lineage, vows, alliances, and divine support, shaping courage and restraint. Wonder arises not merely from spectacle but from recognizing the symbolic forces gathered behind each warrior.
As Karṇa and Arjuna draw near in their chariots, their standards come so close they appear to touch. The watching kings marvel, noting Karṇa’s banner marked with an elephant-chain emblem and Arjuna’s banner bearing the manifest monkey (Hanumān), signaling the magnitude of the impending clash.