Shloka 7
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 55 — Sañjaya’s Report on Pāṇḍava Readiness and Arjuna’s Dhvaja
संजय उवाच भौमन: सह शक्रेण बहुचित्रं विशाम्पते । रूपाणि कल्पयामास त्वष्टा धाता सदा विभो
sañjaya uvāca | bhaumanaḥ saha śakreṇa bahucitraṃ viśāmpate | rūpāṇi kalpayāmāsa tvaṣṭā dhātā sadā vibho ||
Sañjaya said: O lord of the people, the divine artisan Tvaṣṭṛ—together with Dhātṛ and in concert with Śakra (Indra)—fashioned many wondrous and varied forms, devising them with skill and constancy. The passage highlights how divine craftsmanship is marshalled in support of a righteous cause, adorning the warrior’s standard with symbols meant to inspire resolve and uphold dharma amid the coming conflict.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a world moving toward war, the text frames power and artistry as ethically meaningful when aligned with dharma: divine skill is portrayed as supporting rightful purpose, strengthening morale through symbols rather than mere display.
Sañjaya reports that Tvaṣṭṛ, along with Dhātṛ and with Indra’s association, creates many varied forms—understood in context as figures on a warrior’s standard (dhvaja), embellishing the chariot with potent, inspiring imagery before the great conflict.