Shloka 21

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda

Arrow-storm Engagement

Devanagari script

शुशुभे केतुना तेन राजतेन जयद्रथ:

Transliteration

śuśubhe ketunā tena rājatenā jayadrathaḥ

Translation

サンジャヤは言った。「あの輝く旗印に飾られて、ジャヤドラタはひときわ眩しく際立った—その紋章が戦場の混乱のただ中で彼を目立たせ、戦において権勢と威信の外徴は味方を鼓舞する一方で、危難をも招きうることを思い起こさせた。」

Word by Word

• शुशुभे: shone, was splendid
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुभ्
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect), Ātmanepada, 3, Singular

• केतुना: with/by the banner (standard)
• केतुना: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• तेन: with/by that
• तेन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• राजतेन: silver(-colored), made of silver
• राजतेन: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजत
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• जयद्रथः: Jayadratha
• जयद्रथः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: जयद्रथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Jayadratha
• ketu (banner/standard)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how external symbols of status—like a radiant banner—can magnify a warrior’s presence. Ethically, it suggests that display and reputation in war are double-edged: they bolster morale and authority, yet also mark one out for consequence and retribution.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Jayadratha on the battlefield, emphasizing that he appears especially prominent because of his bright, shining standard.