Shloka 126

Saṃjaya’s Warning to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Accountability, Alliance-Shift, and the Pāṇḍava Strategic Edge

Devanagari script

वानरो रोचमानश्न केतुः केतुमतां वर: । बाण चलानेवाले वीरोंमें अर्जुन श्रेष्ठ हैं, धनुषोंमें गाण्डीव उत्तम है, समस्त प्राणियोंमें भगवान्‌ श्रीकृष्ण श्रेष्ठ हैं, आयुधोंमें सुदर्शन चक्र श्रेष्ठ है और पताकावाले ध्वजोंमें वानरसे उपलक्षित ध्वज ही श्रेष्ठ एवं प्रकाशमान है

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | vānaro rocamānaś ca ketuḥ ketumatāṃ varaḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: “The banner marked by the monkey—radiant and foremost among all standards—shines as the best of flag-bearing emblems.” In context, this praise of Arjuna’s monkey-banner (Hanumān’s sign) functions as an ethical assurance: the side aligned with righteous purpose is strengthened not only by weapons and skill, but by auspicious symbols that inspire courage and steadiness in dharma.

Word by Word

• वानरः: monkey (Hanuman)
• वानरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• रोचमानः: shining, resplendent
• रोचमानः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुच्
• Form: शानच् (present active participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• केतुः: banner, standard
• केतुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• केतुमताम्: of those having banners (standard-bearers)
• केतुमताम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केतुमत्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• वरः: best, excellent
• वरः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Arjuna (implied by the monkey-banner)
• Hanumān (implied by the monkey emblem)
• Ketu (banner/standard as an object)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Righteous strength is not merely technical prowess; it is also sustained by auspicious signs and devotional associations that steady the mind and inspire courage. The radiant monkey-banner symbolizes moral confidence and divine support aligned with dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing and praising the foremost standards among banners, highlighting the radiant monkey-emblem banner associated with Arjuna—an omen-like affirmation of the Pandava side’s formidable and auspicious preparedness for the coming conflict.