Shloka 116

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda

Arrow-storm Engagement

Devanagari script

नन्दनं कौरवेन्द्राणां द्रौणेलक्ष्म समुच्छितम्‌ अश्व॒त्थामाका इन्द्रध्वजके समान प्रकाशमान सुवर्णमय ऊँचा ध्वज वायुकी प्रेरणासे फहराता हुआ कौरव-नरेशोंका आनन्द बढ़ा रहा था

Transliteration

nandanam kauravendrāṇāṃ drauṇelakṣmā samucchitam | aśvatthāmāka indradhvajake samānaprakāśamānaṃ suvarṇamayaṃ ūrdhvaṃ dhvajaṃ vāyukī-preraṇayā phaharataḥ kaurava-nareśānām ānandaṃ vardhayām āsa ||

Translation

Sañjaya berkata—panji emas Aśvatthāmā, lambang garis keturunan Droṇa yang ditinggikan, bersinar laksana panji Indra; berkibar oleh dorongan angin, ia menambah sukacita para raja Kaurava.

Word by Word

नन्दनम्delight, joy (that which delights)

कौरवेन्द्राणाम्of the Kuru-kings / lords of the Kurus

द्रौणेलक्ष्मthe banner/ensign of the son of Droṇa (Aśvatthāman)

समुच्छितम्raised high, uplifted

अश्वत्थामकःAśvatthāman

इन्द्रध्वजकेon/at the Indra-banner (standard)

समानम्similar, equal

प्रकाशमानम्shining, radiant

सुवर्णमयम्made of gold, golden

ऊँचम्high, lofty

ध्वजःbanner, flag

वायोःof the wind

प्रेरणयाby the impulse/driving (force)

फहरतःwaving, fluttering

कौरव-नरेशानाम्of the Kaurava kings

आनन्दम्joy, delight

वर्धयन्increasing, augmenting

आसीत्was

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Kauravas (Kaurava kings)

Aśvatthāmā

Droṇa (by lineage reference: Drauṇa)

Indra (by comparison: Indradhvaja)

Dhvaja (banner/standard)

Vāyu (wind)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how symbols—banners, lineage-emblems, and displays of splendor—can intensify collective confidence and pride in war. Ethically, it hints at the contrast between external grandeur and the inner demands of dharma, reminding readers that morale fueled by spectacle does not guarantee righteousness.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Aśvatthāmā’s tall, golden standard, radiant like Indra’s banner, fluttering in the wind. Its sight increases the joy and confidence of the Kaurava rulers on the battlefield.