Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 1
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
#-+>.ी >> हु हि की ३. आजानेयका लक्षण इस प्रकार है-गुडगन्धा: काये ये सुश्लक्ष्णा: कान्तितो जितक्रोधा: । सारयुता जितेन्द्रिया: क्षुत्त॒डाहितं चापि नो दुःखम् ।॥। जानन्त्याजानेया निर्दिष्टा वाजिनो धीरै: । अर्थात् जिनके शरीरसे गुड़की-सी गन्ध आती हो
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca |
dhvajān bahuvidhākārān bhrājamānān atiśriyā |
pārthānāṁ māmakānāṁ ca tān mamācakṣva sañjaya ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra dijo: «Sañjaya, descríbeme aquellos estandartes de múltiples formas, radiantes con esplendor incomparable, tanto de los hijos de Pṛthā como de los míos.»
ध्ृतराष्टर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward symbols of power—banners and splendor—become objects of attention in war, reflecting royal concern with prestige and identification of forces; it also frames the ethical tension of a blind king relying on truthful narration to grasp events he cannot see.
At the opening of the chapter, Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks Sañjaya to describe the various shining battle-standards of both the Pāṇḍava and Kaurava warriors, setting up a catalog-like description of emblems before or amid combat.