Shloka 29
Aśvatthāmā’s Stuti of Rudra and Śiva’s Empowerment (सौप्तिकपर्व, अध्याय ७)
पृष्ठेषु बद्धेषुधयश्चित्रबवाणोत्कटास्तथा । सध्वजा: सपताकाश्न सघण्टा: सपरश्वधा:,उनकी पीठोंपर तरकस बँधे थे। वे विचित्र बाण लिये युद्धके लिये उन्मत्त जान पड़ते थे। उनके पास ध्वजा, पताका, घंटे और फरसे मौजूद थे
pṛṣṭheṣu baddheṣu-dhayaś citra-bavāṇotkaṭās tathā | sa-dhvajāḥ sa-patākāś ca sa-ghaṇṭāḥ sa-paraśvadhāḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Di belakang mereka terikat tabung anak panah; mereka membawa anak panah yang ganjil lagi dahsyat, tampak garang seolah-olah mabuk perang. Mereka dilengkapi panji dan bendera, loceng dan kapak—lengkap bersiap untuk keganasan perang, sementara kemilau lahiriah menutupi kezaliman serbuan malam yang sedang terungkai dalam parva ini.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the outward readiness and martial grandeur of armed men—quivers, banners, bells, and axes—while the Sauptika context reminds the reader that mere military preparedness and display do not confer righteousness; ethical judgment depends on how force is used.
Sañjaya describes the warriors’ equipment and appearance: quivers strapped to their backs, unusual and fearsome arrows, and the full array of war insignia and weapons (standards, banners, bells, axes), portraying them as intensely prepared for combat.