Shloka 3

अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः

Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon

Devanagari script

अजुन उवाच यत्रैषा काज्चनी वेदी ध्वजे यस्य प्रकाशते । उच्छिता प्रवरे दण्डे पताकाभिरलड्कृता । अत्र मां वह भद्ठ ते द्रोणानीकाय सारथे

Transliteration

arjuna uvāca | yatraiṣā kāñcanī vedī dhvaje yasya prakāśate | ucchritā pravare daṇḍe patākābhir alaṅkṛtā | atra māṃ vaha bhadra te droṇānīkāya sārathe ||

Translation

अर्जुन बोले—सारथे! तुम्हारा कल्याण हो। जिस रथ की ध्वजा पर उत्तम दंड के ऊपर पताकाओं से अलंकृत यह ऊँची सुवर्णमयी वेदी चमक रही है, वहीं द्रोणाचार्य की सेना है। मुझे वहीं ले चलो।

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'arjuna uvāca', 'definition': 'Arjuna said'}, {'term': 'yatra', 'definition': 'where'}, {'term': 'eṣā', 'definition': 'this (feminine demonstrative)'}, {'term': 'kāñcanī', 'definition': 'golden, made of gold'}, {'term': 'vedī', 'definition': 'platform/altar-like raised base

• here, a prominent emblem on the banner'}, {'term': 'dhvaje', 'definition': 'on the banner/standard'}, {'term': 'yasya', 'definition': 'of which/whose'}, {'term': 'prakāśate', 'definition': 'shines, is visible, appears radiant'}, {'term': 'ucchritā', 'definition': 'raised up, elevated'}, {'term': 'pravare', 'definition': 'excellent, foremost'}, {'term': 'daṇḍe', 'definition': 'staff, pole (of the banner)'}, {'term': 'patākābhiḥ', 'definition': 'with flags/streamers'}, {'term': 'alaṅkṛtā', 'definition': 'adorned, decorated'}, {'term': 'atra', 'definition': 'here, to this place'}, {'term': 'mām', 'definition': 'me'}, {'term': 'vaha', 'definition': 'carry, drive (the chariot)'}, {'term': 'bhadra te', 'definition': 'good be to you

• may you be blessed/well'}, {'term': 'droṇānīkāya', 'definition': 'to Droṇa’s military division/array'}, {'term': 'sārathe', 'definition': 'O charioteer'}]

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna
• Sārathi (charioteer)
• Droṇa
• Droṇa’s army division (Droṇānīka)
• Dhvaja (banner/standard)
• Daṇḍa (banner-pole)
• Patākā (streamers/flags)
• Kāñcanī vedī (golden platform/emblem on the banner)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even in a tense martial setting, Arjuna speaks with restraint and auspicious courtesy (“bhadra te”) while giving precise directions. The verse highlights disciplined conduct and clarity of purpose—ethical self-control alongside strategic action.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna identifies Droṇa’s position by the distinctive banner-mark—an elevated, shining golden emblem adorned with streamers—and instructs his charioteer to drive him toward Droṇa’s battle-division.