Shloka 116
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
नन्दनं कौरवेन्द्राणां द्रौणेलक्ष्म समुच्छितम् अश्व॒त्थामाका इन्द्रध्वजके समान प्रकाशमान सुवर्णमय ऊँचा ध्वज वायुकी प्रेरणासे फहराता हुआ कौरव-नरेशोंका आनन्द बढ़ा रहा था
nandanam kauravendrāṇāṃ drauṇelakṣmā samucchitam | aśvatthāmāka indradhvajake samānaprakāśamānaṃ suvarṇamayaṃ ūrdhvaṃ dhvajaṃ vāyukī-preraṇayā phaharataḥ kaurava-nareśānām ānandaṃ vardhayām āsa ||
Sañjaya berkata: Panji emas Aśvatthāmā yang tinggi menjulang—bersinar seperti panji Indra dan ditegakkan sebagai lambang keturunan Droṇa—berkibar didorong angin, menambah sukacita serta keyakinan para raja Kaurava. Dalam suasana dharma peperangan, gambaran ini menegaskan bahawa tanda-tanda lahiriah kuasa dan nasab mampu menyalakan keangkuhan dan semangat, walaupun medan perang menguji tuntutan dharma yang paling mendalam.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how symbols—banners, lineage-emblems, and displays of splendor—can intensify collective confidence and pride in war. Ethically, it hints at the contrast between external grandeur and the inner demands of dharma, reminding readers that morale fueled by spectacle does not guarantee righteousness.
Sañjaya describes Aśvatthāmā’s tall, golden standard, radiant like Indra’s banner, fluttering in the wind. Its sight increases the joy and confidence of the Kaurava rulers on the battlefield.