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Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 9

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda

Arrow-storm Engagement

स वानरवरो राजन्‌ पताकाभिरलंकृत:

sa vānaravaro rājan patākābhir alaṅkṛtaḥ

សញ្ជ័យបាននិយាយថា៖ ឱ ព្រះមហាក្សត្រ ស្វាដ៏ឧត្តមនោះ ដែលត្រូវបានតុបតែងដោយបដាកា បានលេចធ្លោជាសញ្ញាដ៏ច្បាស់នៃកម្លាំង និងការប្តេជ្ញា កណ្ដាលភាពចលាចលនៃសង្គ្រាម—ជាសញ្ញាខាងក្រៅសម្រាប់លើកទឹកចិត្តមិត្តភក្តិ និងធ្វើឲ្យសត្រូវរអាក់រអួល។

सःhe
सः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
वानरवरःthe best of monkeys
वानरवरः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवानरवर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
राजन्O king
राजन्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootराजन्
FormMasculine, Vocative, Singular
पताकाभिःwith banners/flags
पताकाभिः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootपताका
FormFeminine, Instrumental, Plural
अलंकृतःadorned, decorated
अलंकृतः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootअलंकृत
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
R
rājan (Dhṛtarāṣṭra)
V
vānaravara (foremost monkey)
P
patākā (banners/flags)

Educational Q&A

In the Mahābhārata’s war narrative, visible symbols—such as banners and emblems—serve ethical and psychological functions: they consolidate collective courage, proclaim identity and purpose, and communicate resolve. The verse highlights how outward insignia can embody inner steadfastness in a righteous struggle.

Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a foremost monkey figure is seen adorned with banners. The description functions as a vivid battlefield detail, emphasizing prominence and signaling strength and morale in the ongoing conflict.