Shloka 13
Kṛṣṇa Visits Indraprastha; Kuntī’s Remembrance; Kālindī and Further Marriages
एकदा रथमारुह्य विजयो वानरध्वजम् । गाण्डीवं धनुरादाय तूणौ चाक्षयसायकौ ॥ १३ ॥ साकं कृष्णेन सन्नद्धो विहर्तुं विपिनं महत् । बहुव्यालमृगाकीर्णं प्राविशत् परवीरहा ॥ १४ ॥
ekadā ratham āruhya vijayo vānara-dhvajam gāṇḍīvaṁ dhanur ādāya tūṇau cākṣaya-sāyakau
Un jour, Arjuna, pourfendeur des héros ennemis, revêtit son armure, monta sur son char au drapeau de Hanumān, prit l’arc Gāṇḍīva et deux carquois aux flèches inépuisables ; puis, avec Śrī Kṛṣṇa, il entra pour se divertir dans une vaste forêt peuplée de bêtes féroces.
This incident must have taken place after the burning of the Khāṇḍava forest, since Arjuna was now using the Gāṇḍīva bow and other weapons he had acquired during that incident.
FAQs
This verse depicts Arjuna fully equipped—mounted on his chariot with Gāṇḍīva and inexhaustible quivers—showing his disciplined preparedness and heroic capability.
He is described as Vānaradhvaja because his chariot flag bears the emblem of Hanumān, a celebrated mark of protection and victory associated with Arjuna’s chariot.
Approach duties with preparedness and steadiness—like Arjuna taking up his tools—while keeping noble symbols and values (devotion, courage, discipline) at the center of action.