Shloka 86
शरभं पृष्ठसौवर्ण नकुलस्य महाध्वजम् । अपश्याम रथे>त्युग्रं भीषयाणमवस्थितम्,नकुलकी विशाल ध्वजा शरभके चिह्नसे युक्त तथा पृष्ठभागमें सुवर्णमयी है। हमने देखा, वह अत्यन्त भयंकर रूपसे उनके रथपर फहराती और सबको भयभीत करती थी
śarabhaṃ pṛṣṭha-sauvarṇaṃ nakulasya mahā-dhvajam | apaśyāma rathe 'tyugraṃ bhīṣayāṇam avasthitam ||
Sañjaya said: “We beheld Nakula’s great banner—marked with the śarabha and adorned with gold upon its back—standing aloft on his chariot. Fierce in appearance, it fluttered there as a sign of his martial resolve, striking fear into the opposing ranks.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward symbols—like a warrior’s banner—serve ethical and strategic functions in a dharma-yuddha setting: they proclaim identity, resolve, and legitimacy, and they can influence morale by inspiring allies and intimidating opponents.
Sañjaya describes to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the sight of Nakula’s chariot-standard: a great banner bearing the śarabha emblem with golden adornment, standing on the chariot and appearing so fierce that it terrifies the enemy.