Shloka 25
त॑ द्रोणपुत्रप्रमुखा नरेन्द्रा: सर्वे समाश्चास्य मुहुः प्रयान्ति । निरीक्षमाणा मुहुरर्जुनस्य ध्वजं महान्तं यशसा ज्वलन्तम्,द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामा तथा अन्य सभी नरेश बारंबार आकर दुर्योधनको सान्त्वना देते और अर्जुनके महान् ध्वजको, जो उनके उज्ज्वल यशसे प्रकाशित हो रहा था, देखते हुए फिर लौट जाते थे
taṁ droṇaputrapramukhā narendrāḥ sarve samāśvāsya muhuḥ prayānti | nirīkṣamāṇā muhur arjunasya dhvajaṁ mahāntaṁ yaśasā jvalantam ||
Śalya said: “Led by Droṇa’s son, all those kings would repeatedly come, console Duryodhana, and then depart again—each time casting their eyes upon Arjuna’s mighty banner, blazing with the radiance of his fame.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how reputation and visible symbols of prowess (like Arjuna’s banner) shape morale in war: even powerful allies must repeatedly reassure a shaken leader, while the opponent’s manifest glory exerts psychological pressure. It implicitly underscores the ethical weight of fame earned through valor and steadfastness in kṣatriya duty.
Śalya describes the Kaurava camp’s mood: Aśvatthāman and other kings keep coming to comfort Duryodhana, but as they look toward Arjuna’s great standard—shining with his renown—they withdraw again, suggesting anxiety and awe in the face of Arjuna’s battlefield presence.