Shloka 26
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
यथा श्वेतो महानागो देवराजचमूं तथा । नागो मणिमयो राज्ञो ध्वज: कनकसंवृत:,जैसे श्वेत वर्णका महान् ऐरावत हाथी देवराजकी सेनाको सुशोभित करता है, उसी प्रकार राजा दुर्योधनका सुवर्णमण्डित ध्वज मणिमय गजराजके चिह्लसे उपलक्षित होता था
sañjaya uvāca |
yathā śveto mahānāgo devarājacamūṃ tathā |
nāgo maṇimayo rājño dhvajaḥ kanakasaṃvṛtaḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。「神々の王インドラの軍勢を白象アイラーヴァタが飾り立てるように、ドゥルヨーダナ王の軍旗もまた、黄金に覆われ、宝玉のごとき威容をもつ象王の徽章を掲げて、ひときわ目立っておりました。この偈は、戦における王権が、味方を奮い立たせ敵を圧するための象徴によって示されることを語る。しかしその華麗さ自体は善悪を帯びず、いかなる正法の大義に仕えるかによって意味を得るのです。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward grandeur—banners, emblems, and comparisons to divine symbols—functions to project authority and morale in war; ethically, such splendor is not itself dharma, but a tool whose value depends on the righteousness of the side that wields it.
Sañjaya describes Duryodhana’s banner on the battlefield, saying it was gold-covered and distinguished by an elephant emblem, likening its prominence to Airāvata adorning Indra’s army.