Shloka 2
द्रोण-पार्थ-युद्धम्
Droṇa–Pārtha Strategic Engagement
ददृशुस्ते ध्वजाग्रं वै शुश्रुवुश्ष महास्वनम् । दोधूयमानस्य भृशं गाण्डीवस्थ च निः:स्वनम्
dadṛśus te dhvajāgraṃ vai śuśruvuś ca mahāsvanam | dodhūyamānasya bhṛśaṃ gāṇḍīvasya ca niḥsvanam ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Ils virent la haute cime de l’étendard et entendirent le fracas puissant—ainsi que le claquement net et retentissant du Gāṇḍīva, violemment secoué. La vue et le son, ensemble, annonçaient l’arrivée d’un guerrier redoutable et faisaient frémir le champ de bataille de la certitude d’un affrontement proche.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible symbols (a banner’s crest) and audible signs (a mighty roar and the bow’s twang) communicate power and intent in a dharmic conflict: strength is not merely personal but publicly signaled, shaping morale and the ethical seriousness of the moment before battle.
Observers on the scene notice the banner’s high crest and hear a tremendous sound, including the reverberation of the Gāṇḍīva being forcefully shaken—an announcement of a great archer’s presence and the escalation toward open fighting.