Shloka 90
द्रोणवध-प्रश्नः
Droṇa’s Fall: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry
राजन! कुमार अभिमन्युके रथका श्रेष्ठ ध्वज तपाये हुए सुवर्णसे निर्मित होनेके कारण अत्यन्त प्रकाशमान था। उसमें सुवर्णमय शार्हुपक्षीका चिह्न था।। घटोत्कचस्य राजेन्द्र ध्वजे गृश्रो व्यरोचत । अश्वाश्न॒ कामगास्तस्य रावणस्य पुरा यथा,राजेन्द्र! राक्षस घटोत्कचकी ध्वजामें गीध शोभा पाता था। पूर्वकालमें रावणके रथकी भाँति उसके रथमें भी इच्छानुसार चलनेवाले घोड़े जुते हुए थे
sañjaya uvāca |
rājan! kumāra abhimanyuke rathakā-śreṣṭha-dhvajaḥ tapāyita-suvarṇena nirmitatvād atyanta-prakāśamānaḥ āsīt | tasmin suvarṇamayaḥ śārṅga-pakṣī-cinhaḥ āsīt ||
ghaṭotkacasya rājendra dhvaje gṛdhro vyarocata |
aśvāś ca kāmagās tasya rāvaṇasya purā yathā ||
Sañjaya said: O King, the excellent banner on Prince Abhimanyu’s chariot blazed with radiance, for it was fashioned of heated, refined gold. Upon it was a golden emblem of the Śārṅga-bird. And, O best of kings, on the banner of the rākṣasa Ghaṭotkaca a vulture shone forth; and his chariot too was yoked with horses that moved at will—like those of Rāvaṇa in ancient times. The description heightens the moral tension of the war: youthful Kuru heroism and royal splendor stand beside the ominous, fearsome signs of rākṣasa power, as both sides marshal extraordinary resources in a conflict that tests dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how outward splendor and terrifying power coexist on the battlefield; symbols (golden emblems, ominous birds) intensify the ethical pressure of war, reminding the listener that dharma is tested not only by strength but by the intentions and consequences behind martial display.
Sañjaya describes the distinctive standards and equipment of key warriors: Abhimanyu’s chariot-banner gleams with refined gold and bears a golden bird emblem, while Ghaṭotkaca’s banner bears a shining vulture and his chariot is drawn by horses said to move at will, compared to the legendary chariot of Rāvaṇa.