Shloka 596
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
तथा पाण्डुसुताः पार्थ चिह्नमात्रेण जज्ञिरे | उस समय कौरवोंने भीष्मको तालध्वज आदि चिह्नमात्रसे ही पहचाना। इसी प्रकार पाण्डुपुत्रोंने भी कपिध्वज आदि चिह्नमात्रसे ही पार्थकी पहचान की
tathā pāṇḍusutāḥ pārtha cihnamātreṇa jajñire |
Sañjaya berkata: Demikian juga, putera-putera Pāṇḍu mengenali Pārtha hanya melalui tanda pengenal—seperti lambang pada panjinya. Dalam hiruk-pikuk perang, jati diri ditangkap melalui tanda, bukan melalui keakraban.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid the chaos of battle, action aligned with dharma requires clarity—recognizing allies and leaders through established signs and standards, not through haste or emotion.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāṇḍavas identified Arjuna (Pārtha) simply by his distinguishing marks (such as the banner emblem), paralleling how warriors recognize key figures by their standards in war.