Shloka 2736
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
ध्वजेन महता संख्ये कुरूणामृषभस्तदा । प्रजानाथ! वह विचित्र ध्वज दुर्योधनके उत्तम रथपर सैकड़ों क्षुद्रधंटिकाओंकी ध्वनिसे शोभायमान था। उस महान् ध्वजसे युद्धस्थलमें आपके पुत्र कुरुश्रेष्ठ दुर्योधनकी उस समय बड़ी शोभा हो रही थी
sañjaya uvāca |
dhvajena mahatā saṅkhye kurūṇām ṛṣabhas tadā |
pracalac-citra-dhvajo duryodhanasya ratho varaḥ |
śataśo kṣudra-ghaṇṭikā-ninādair abhirañjitaḥ |
tena dhvajena yuddha-sthale tava putrasya kurū-śreṣṭhasya tadā mahān śobhā babhūva ||
サンジャヤは言った。戦のただ中で、汝の子――クル族随一のドゥルヨーダナ――は燦然と輝いていた。彼の優れた戦車には大旗と、揺れ動く色とりどりの標が掲げられ、さらに幾百もの小鈴の鳴り響きによっていっそう華やいでいた。その高き旗幟ゆえに、彼は戦場においてとりわけ栄光ある姿を示した――戦のダルマの重みの中にあって、王者の矜持と武威の誇示を映す光景である。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward splendour—banner, chariot, and martial pageantry—can magnify a warrior’s presence, yet it implicitly contrasts such display with the deeper ethical weight of the war. It invites reflection on how glory and pride operate within a conflict whose righteousness is contested.
Sanjaya describes to Dhritarashtra how Duryodhana appears on the battlefield: his fine chariot carries a great, ornate, fluttering banner, and the sound of many small bells makes it striking. This is a visual-and-auditory portrait of Duryodhana’s prominence among the Kurus at that moment.