Shloka 40
द्रोणनिन्दाश्रवणं तथा सात्यकि–पार्षतविवादः
Hearing the reproach of Droṇa and the Sātyaki–Pārṣata dispute
रौद्रेण चित्रपक्षेण विवृताक्षेण कूजता । ध्वजेनोच्छितदण्डेन गृध्रराजेन राजता
raudreṇa citrapakṣeṇa vivṛtākṣeṇa kūjatā | dhvajenocchitadaṇḍena gṛdhrarājena rājatā
Sañjaya berkata: Kereta itu berkilau dengan panji pada tiang yang menjulang; pada panji itu tampak raja burung nasar—garang, bersayap beraneka warna, bermata terbelalak, bersuara nyaring—sebagai lambang yang menambah gentar di medan laga.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how symbols and omens on the battlefield amplify moral and psychological pressure: the fierce vulture-emblem suggests death’s presence and the grim consequences of adharma-driven conflict, reminding listeners that war’s ‘splendor’ is inseparable from भय (fear) and विनाश (destruction).
Sañjaya is describing a war-standard: a banner mounted on a high staff, marked by a terrifying, loudly crying, wide-eyed ‘king of vultures.’ The image functions as a vivid battlefield detail and an ominous sign, heightening the scene’s intensity.