Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 23
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
ध्वज: सूर्य इवाभाति सोमश्नात्र प्रदृश्यते । सदा यज्ञमें लगे रहनेवाले बुद्धिमान् भूरिश्रवाके रथमें यूपका चिह्न बना था। वह ध्वज सूर्यके समान प्रकाशित होता था और उसमें चन्द्रमाका चिह्न भी दृष्टिगोचर होता था ।।
dhvajaḥ sūrya ivābhāti somaśnāttra pradṛśyate | sadā yajñameṃ lage rahanevāle buddhimān bhūriśravāke rathameṃ yūpakā cihna banā thā | vaha dhvaja sūryake samāna prakāśita hotā thā aura usameṃ candramākā cihna bhī dṛṣṭigocara hotā thā || sa yūpaḥ kāñcano rājan saumadatte virājate ||
Sañjaya dijo: «El estandarte brillaba como el sol, y en él también se veía el emblema de la luna. En el carro del sabio Bhūriśravā—siempre entregado a las observancias sacrificiales—se alzaba el signo de un yūpa (poste sacrificial). Aquel yūpa, oh rey, hecho de oro, relucía espléndido en el carro de Saumadatta, enlazando la identidad del guerrero en la batalla con el prestigio y la disciplina del rito védico.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid warfare, a warrior’s public symbols (like a banner) are used to project identity and values. Here the yūpa emblem ties Bhūriśravā’s fame to Vedic discipline and sacrificial culture, suggesting that social honor in the epic is often grounded in perceived dharma—ritual merit, lineage, and self-control—alongside martial prowess.
Sañjaya describes to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra the appearance of Bhūriśravā’s chariot-banner: it shines like the sun, bears a moon emblem, and prominently displays a golden yūpa (sacrificial post) sign, highlighting the warrior’s distinguished presence on the battlefield.