Shloka 17
अध्याय ८२ — केशवप्रयाणे निमित्तदर्शनम्
Omens and Reception During Keśava’s Departure
तरुणादित्यसंकाशं बृहन्तं चारुदर्शनम् | मणिहेमविचित्राड्गं सुध्वजं सुपताकिनम्
taruṇādityasaṅkāśaṃ bṛhantaṃ cārudarśanam | maṇihemavicitrāṅgaṃ sudhvajaṃ supatākinam ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。「それは若き太陽のごとく輝き、巨大で、見る者の心を喜ばせた。車の各部は宝石と黄金で象嵌され、旗印は壮麗で、優れた小旗がその上に翻っていた。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward magnificence—radiance, ornamentation, and martial insignia—functions as a cultural sign of royal power and readiness for conflict. Ethically, it frames the gravity of impending war: splendid instruments of battle can be aesthetically captivating, yet they serve a serious, dharma-laden purpose in the narrative.
Vaiśaṃpāyana is describing a chariot in vivid, elevated imagery: it gleams like the rising sun, is large and handsome, decorated with gems and gold, and marked by a beautiful banner and fluttering pennant—setting a majestic tone for the events of the Udyoga Parva as preparations and displays of power intensify.