Shloka 303
ध्वजवर्णनम् | Dhvaja-varṇanam
Description of War Standards
साश्रृद्धिपरथान्याजौ विद्रविष्यामि दारुक । “दारुक! कल युद्धमें मैं सहस्नों राजाओं तथा सैकड़ों राजकुमारोंको उनके घोड़े, हाथी एवं रथोंसहित मार भगाऊँगा
sāśr̥ddhiparathānyājau vidraviṣyāmi dāruka |
Sañjaya said: “O Dāruka, today in battle I shall rout them—kings in their thousands and princes in their hundreds—together with their horses, elephants, and chariots.” The utterance conveys the fierce resolve and boastful confidence that often arises in the heat of war, where martial ambition can eclipse restraint and compassion.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, determination can harden into overconfidence and sweeping threats. It invites reflection on dharma in conflict: even when battle is sanctioned for kṣatriyas, speech and intent reveal inner disposition—whether disciplined duty or ego-driven aggression.
Sañjaya reports a warrior’s declaration addressed to Dāruka, predicting that he will drive away vast numbers of enemy kings and princes along with their mounted and chariot forces. It functions as a dramatic statement of martial intent within the Drona Parva battle sequence.