Shloka 97
गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनका ध्वज मानो युद्धका इच्छुक होकर कर्णके ध्वजपर आक्रमण करने लगा। अर्जुनकी ध्वजाका महान् वेगशाली वानर उस समय अपने स्थानसे उछला और कर्णकी ध्वजाकी साँकलपर चोट करने लगा, जैसे गरुड़ अपने पंजों और चोंचसे सर्पपर प्रहार कर रहे हों ।। सा किड्॒किणीकाभरणा कालपाशोपमा<5<5यसी । अभ्यद्रवत् सुसंरब्धा हस्तिकक्ष्याथ तं कपिम्
sā kiḍkiṇīkābharaṇā kālapāśopamāyasī | abhyadravat susaṃrabdhā hastikakṣyātha taṃ kapim ||
Sañjaya said: Arjuna’s standard, of the wielder of Gāṇḍīva, as though eager for war, began to assail Karṇa’s banner. Then the swift, mighty monkey upon Arjuna’s flag leapt from his place and struck at the banner-chain of Karṇa, like Garuḍa rending a serpent with talons and beak. And that chain—hung with tinkling bells, like the very noose of Death—rushed forth in fierce agitation and struck at the monkey, Hanumān.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how, in a dharma-contested war, even symbols (standards, emblems) mirror the inner states of warriors—wrath, resolve, and the sense of mortal peril—reminding the listener that ethical struggle is not only physical but also psychological and emblematic.
As Arjuna presses the attack on Karṇa’s standard, Hanumān on Arjuna’s banner leaps to strike Karṇa’s banner-chain; in response, the bell-adorned, death-noose-like strap/chain surges fiercely toward the monkey, intensifying the dramatic clash of the two champions’ chariot-emblems.