Shloka 21

Devanagari script

शुशुभे केतुना तेन राजतेन जयद्रथ:

Transliteration

śuśubhe ketunā tena rājatenā jayadrathaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: Adorned by that shining banner, Jayadratha stood out brilliantly—his emblem making him conspicuous amid the turmoil of battle, a reminder that in war, outward signs of power and prestige can both inspire allies and invite peril.

Word by Word

• शुशुभे: shone, was splendid
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुभ्
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect), Ātmanepada, 3, Singular

• केतुना: with/by the banner (standard)
• केतुना: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• तेन: with/by that
• तेन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• राजतेन: silver(-colored), made of silver
• राजतेन: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजत
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• जयद्रथः: Jayadratha
• जयद्रथः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: जयद्रथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Jayadratha
• ketu (banner/standard)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how external symbols of status—like a radiant banner—can magnify a warrior’s presence. Ethically, it suggests that display and reputation in war are double-edged: they bolster morale and authority, yet also mark one out for consequence and retribution.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Jayadratha on the battlefield, emphasizing that he appears especially prominent because of his bright, shining standard.