Shloka 2
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
संजय उवाच ध्वजान् बहुविधाकारान् शृणु तेषां महात्मनाम् | रूपतो वर्णतश्चैव नामतश्ष निबोध मे,संजयने कहा--राजन्! उन महामनस्वी वीरोंके जो नाना प्रकारकी आकृतिवाले ध्वज फहरा रहे थे, उनका रूप-रंग और नाम मैं बता रहा हूँ, सुनिये
sañjaya uvāca
dhvajān bahuvidhākārān śṛṇu teṣāṃ mahātmanām |
rūpato varṇataś caiva nāmataś ca nibodha me ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, dengarlah ketika aku menghuraikan pelbagai jenis panji yang dibawa oleh para pahlawan berhati agung itu. Ketahuilah daripadaku bentuknya, warnanya, dan namanya—agar tanda-tanda yang mengenalkan mereka di medan perang dapat dikenal dengan jelas.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the role of clear signs and identifiers (banners with distinct forms, colors, and names) in the moral and practical order of war: warriors are recognized by their emblems, and narration preserves accountability and memory of deeds.
Sañjaya begins a descriptive catalogue for Dhṛtarāṣṭra, announcing that he will recount the various battle-banners of the great warriors—detailing their appearance, colors, and names.