Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 163
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
व्याहरिष्यन्निवातिष्ठत् सेनाग्रमुपशो भयन् । वृषसेनका मणिरत्नविभूषित सुवर्णमय ध्वज मयूर-चिह्नसे युक्त था। वह मयूर सेनाके अग्रभागकी शोभा बढ़ाता हुआ इस प्रकार खड़ा था, मानो बोल देगा
sañjaya uvāca | vyāhariṣyann iva atiṣṭhat senāgram upaśobhayat | vṛṣaseṇasya maṇiratna-vibhūṣitaḥ suvarṇamayo dhvajaḥ mayūra-cihnasena yuktaḥ | sa mayūraḥ senāyā agre bhāṃtiṃ vardhayan evaṃ tiṣṭhat, iva vaktum ārabdhaḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: En la vanguardia del ejército se alzaba un estandarte de oro, engastado de gemas, como si estuviera a punto de hablar. Marcado con el emblema del pavo real y realzando el esplendor del frente, parecía proclamar—por su sola presencia—el orgullo y la determinación del bando de Vṛṣasena en medio de la guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward symbols—banners, emblems, and splendour—serve as moral and psychological instruments in war: they rally troops, project confidence, and communicate intent without words, reminding readers that appearances can function as powerful declarations in ethical and strategic contexts.
Sanjaya describes a striking banner at the army’s forefront: a golden standard, gem-adorned, bearing a peacock emblem associated with Vrishasena. Its vivid presence beautifies the vanguard and seems ‘ready to speak,’ as if announcing the army’s spirit before battle.