Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 8
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
दोधूयमाना रथिनां शोभयन्ति महारथान् | भरतश्रेष्ठ! इन्द्रधनुषके समान प्रभावाली फहराती हुई पताकाएँ रथियोंके विशाल रथोंकी शोभा बढ़ाती थीं ।। सिंहलाड्गूलमुग्रास्यं ध्वजं वानरलक्षणम्
sañjaya uvāca | dodhūyamānā rathināṃ śobhayanti mahārathān | bharataśreṣṭha! indradhanuṣake samāna-prabhāvālī phaharātī huī patākāeṃ rathiyoṃke viśāla rathoṃkī śobhā baṛhātī thīṃ || siṃhalāṅgūla-mugrāsyaṃ dhvajaṃ vānaralakṣaṇam ||
Dijo Sañjaya: ¡Oh el mejor de los Bharatas!, los grandes aurigas quedaban engalanados cuando sus banderas —temblando y ondeando— se alzaban sobre sus enormes carros, radiantes como el arco de Indra. Entre ellas había un estandarte marcado con un mono, de rostro feroz y cola de león, que proclamaba la fuerza y la resolución de su portador en medio del fragor de la guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward insignia—banners and emblems—serve as public declarations of identity, courage, and intent in war; ethically, it underscores the kṣatriya world where reputation, resolve, and visible standards reinforce collective morale and accountability.
Sanjaya describes the battlefield spectacle: great charioteers’ massive chariots are crowned by swaying, rainbow-bright banners, including a prominent standard bearing a monkey emblem with fierce, lion-tailed imagery.