Shloka 19

Adhyāya 40 (Book 7, Droṇa-parva): Abhimanyu’s Rapid Advance and Battlefield Disruption

Devanagari script

धारयन्तो ध्वजाग्रेषु द्रौपदेया महारथा: । सात्यकिश्रेकितानश्च धृष्टद्ुम्नशिखण्डिनौ

Transliteration

dhārayanto dhvajāgreṣu draupadeyā mahārathāḥ | sātyakiśrekitānaś ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaśikhaṇḍinau ||

Translation

Sañjaya dit : Les puissants guerriers de char—les fils de Draupadī—tenaient leurs étendards levés ; et de même Sātyaki et Śrekitān, ainsi que Dhṛṣṭadyumna et Śikhaṇḍin. Dans l’atmosphère moralement tendue de la bataille, les bannières dressées signifient résolution, commandement et affirmation publique de la cause et des compagnons choisis.

Word by Word

धारयन्तःbearing/holding

ध्वजाग्रेषुon the tops of the banners/standards

द्रौपदेयाःthe sons of Draupadī

महारथाःgreat chariot-warriors

सात्यकिःSātyaki

श्रेकितानःŚrekītāna (a warrior’s name)

चand

धृष्टद्युम्नःDhṛṣṭadyumna

शिखण्डीŚikhaṇḍin

उभौboth

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sanjaya

Draupadeyas (sons of Draupadi)

Satyaki

Shrekitana

Dhrishtadyumna

Shikhandin

dhvaja (battle standards/banners)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even in war, conduct is framed by visible commitments—standards and banners symbolize responsibility to one’s side, commanders, and vows. The verse highlights disciplined solidarity and the ethical weight of leadership in a righteous cause.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya lists prominent Pāṇḍava-aligned heroes—Draupadī’s sons, Sātyaki, Śrekitān, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Śikhaṇḍin—describing them as great chariot-warriors bearing their banners, indicating their readiness and formation in the ongoing battle.