Shloka 8
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
दोधूयमाना रथिनां शोभयन्ति महारथान् | भरतश्रेष्ठ! इन्द्रधनुषके समान प्रभावाली फहराती हुई पताकाएँ रथियोंके विशाल रथोंकी शोभा बढ़ाती थीं ।। सिंहलाड्गूलमुग्रास्यं ध्वजं वानरलक्षणम्
sañjaya uvāca | dodhūyamānā rathināṃ śobhayanti mahārathān | bharataśreṣṭha! indradhanuṣake samāna-prabhāvālī phaharātī huī patākāeṃ rathiyoṃke viśāla rathoṃkī śobhā baṛhātī thīṃ || siṃhalāṅgūla-mugrāsyaṃ dhvajaṃ vānaralakṣaṇam ||
Sañjaya berkata: “O terbaik di antara Bharata, panji-panji yang berguncang dan berkibar—cemerlang laksana busur Indra—menambah semarak kereta-kereta besar para maharathi. Di antaranya ada sebuah standar bertanda kera, bermuka garang dan berekor singa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward insignia—banners and emblems—serve as public declarations of identity, courage, and intent in war; ethically, it underscores the kṣatriya world where reputation, resolve, and visible standards reinforce collective morale and accountability.
Sanjaya describes the battlefield spectacle: great charioteers’ massive chariots are crowned by swaying, rainbow-bright banners, including a prominent standard bearing a monkey emblem with fierce, lion-tailed imagery.