Shloka 16
अध्याय ४ — दुर्योधनस्य असंधि-निश्चयः
Duryodhana’s Refusal of Reconciliation
इन्द्रकार्मुकतुल्या भमिन्द्रकेतुमिवोच्छितम् । वानरं केतुमासाद्य संचचाल महाचमू:
indrakārmukatulyā bham indraketum ivocchritam | vānaradhvajaṃ ketum āsādya saṃcacāla mahācamūḥ ||
サञ्जयは言った。「彼の猿旗は、インドラの虹のごとく多彩で、インドラの旗標のように天を衝くほど高く掲げられている。その徽章に近づくや、われらの大軍は恐れに揺さぶられ、士気と自信が乱されるのだ。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how symbols of righteousness, divine association, and heroic reputation can affect morale in war: an emblem (Arjuna’s Hanumān-banner) becomes a psychological force that steadies allies and unsettles opponents, showing that inner confidence and perceived dharmic support influence outcomes.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pandava side’s chariot-banner—Arjuna’s monkey-standard—appears brilliantly multicoloured like a rainbow and very tall like Indra’s standard; when the Kaurava troops come near it, their great army trembles and becomes fearful.