Shloka 3
ध्वजवर्णनम् | Dhvaja-varṇanam
Description of War Standards
संतस्तार शुभां शय्यां दर्भवैदूर्यसंनिभै: । ततो माल्येन विधिवल्लाजैर्गन्धै: सुमज्रलै: २ ।। अलंचकार तां शय्यां परिवार्यायुधोत्तमै: । ततः स्पृष्टोदके पार्थे विनीता: परिचारका:
saṃstastāra śubhāṃ śayyāṃ darbhavaidūryasaṃnibhaiḥ | tato mālyena vidhivallājairgandhaiḥ sumañjalaiḥ || alaṃcakāra tāṃ śayyāṃ parivāryāyudhoत्तamaiḥ | tataḥ spṛṣṭodake pārthe vinītāḥ paricārakāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: They spread out a splendid couch, made to resemble darbha-grass and vaidūrya (cat’s-eye gem) in its sheen. Then, in due and proper manner, they adorned that couch with garlands and with choice, fragrant substances arranged in fine handfuls. Surrounding it with excellent weapons, they completed its decoration. Thereafter, when Pārtha had been ritually purified by touching water, the well-disciplined attendants stood ready for service—an image of ordered conduct and reverence maintained even amid the harshness of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a battlefield setting, conduct is expected to remain ordered and respectful: ritual cleanliness (spṛṣṭodaka), disciplined service (vinītāḥ paricārakāḥ), and proper procedure (vidhivat) reflect a dharmic ideal of self-control and reverence amid violence.
Attendants prepare and ornament a splendid couch—spreading it, decorating it with garlands and perfumes, and placing excellent weapons around it. After Pārtha (Arjuna) performs a water-touch purification, the trained attendants stand ready to serve.