Shloka 46

भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 54: फल्गुन-प्रतिरोधः, सौबली-व्यूह-विध्वंसः, दुर्योधन-भीष्म-संवादः

Devanagari script

बभूव परमोपेत: सुमेरुरिव भानुना । आर्य! रथके मार्गोंपर अर्जुनका वह ध्वज नृत्य करता-सा प्रतीत होता था। उस रत्नयुक्त ध्वजसे अर्जुनकी और गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनसे उस ध्वजकी बड़ी शोभा होती थी

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | babhūva paramopetaḥ sumerur iva bhānunā | ārya! rathake mārge upari arjunakā sa dhvajaḥ nṛtya karatā-sā pratīta hotā thā | tasya ratna-yuktasya dhvajasyārjunasya ca gāṇḍīva-dhāriṇaḥ arjunasya ca dhvajasyāpi mahān śobhā babhūva | yathā meru-parvatasya sūryeṇa sūryasya ca meru-parvateṇa śobhā bhavati ||

Translation

ആര്യാ! അർജുനൻ പരമശോഭയോടെ സൂര്യപ്രകാശത്തിൽ ദീപ്തമായ സുമേരുവിനെപ്പോലെ പ്രത്യക്ഷപ്പെട്ടു. രഥമാർഗത്തിൽ അവന്റെ രത്നഖചിത ധ്വജം നൃത്തം ചെയ്യുന്നപോലെ തോന്നി. ആ രത്നയുക്ത ധ്വജം പാർഥന്റെ ശോഭ വർധിപ്പിച്ചു; ഗാണ്ഡീവധാരി പാർഥൻ വീണ്ടും ധ്വജത്തിന്റെ മഹിമ ഉയർത്തി—മേരുവിന് സൂര്യൻ ശോഭ നൽകുന്നതുപോലെയും, സൂര്യന്റെ ദീപ്തി മേരുവാൽ കൂടുതൽ ശ്രദ്ധേയമാകുന്നതുപോലെയും.

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'sañjaya uvāca', 'definition': 'Sanjaya said'}, {'term': 'babhūva', 'definition': 'became

• appeared'}, {'term': 'paramopetaḥ', 'definition': 'supremely endowed/adorned

• excellently equipped'}, {'term': 'sumeruḥ', 'definition': 'Mount Meru (cosmic mountain)'}, {'term': 'iva', 'definition': 'like

• as'}, {'term': 'bhānunā', 'definition': 'by the sun

• with sunlight'}, {'term': 'ratha', 'definition': 'chariot'}, {'term': 'mārga', 'definition': 'road

• path'}, {'term': 'upari', 'definition': 'above

• on top'}, {'term': 'dhvajaḥ', 'definition': 'banner

• standard'}, {'term': 'ratna-yukta', 'definition': 'adorned with gems'}, {'term': 'nṛtya iva pratītaḥ', 'definition': 'appearing as if dancing'}, {'term': 'gāṇḍīva-dhārin', 'definition': 'bearer of the bow Gāṇḍīva (epithet of Arjuna)'}, {'term': 'śobhā', 'definition': 'splendor

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Arjuna
• Gāṇḍīva (bow)
• Dhvaja (banner/standard)
• Sumeru (Mount Meru)
• Bhānu/Sūrya (the Sun)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how inner excellence (Arjuna’s valor and readiness) and outer symbols of duty (the jeweled banner, chariot insignia) mutually reinforce each other. In a dharmic context, rightful strength is not mere display; it becomes a sign of purpose and moral resolve, making the warrior’s presence inspiring and formidable.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya, narrating to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, describes Arjuna advancing in his chariot. His gem-studded banner seems to ‘dance’ as the chariot moves, and Sanjaya uses the Meru-and-sun comparison to convey the extraordinary splendor and auspicious prominence of Arjuna and his standard on the battlefield.