Shloka 53
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
पताकाध्वजसंछन्नं पदातीनां महद् बलम्
patākādhvajasaṃchannaṃ padātīnāṃ mahad balam
Sañjaya berkata: “Tampaklah suatu bala tentera infantri yang amat besar, terlindung oleh panji-panji dan bendera kebesaran.” Baris ini membangkitkan keluasan yang menggentarkan serta kemegahan perang—di mana tanda-tanda kemuliaan lahiriah (bendera dan lambang) menutupi himpunan manusia di bawahnya, seakan menyiratkan beban moral dan derita yang bakal menyusul bersama angkatan sedemikian.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war’s grandeur—banners and standards—can mask the reality of countless individuals drawn into violence. It invites reflection on the ethical burden of mass conflict, where spectacle and identity-markers often overshadow human cost.
Sanjaya is describing the battlefield scene: a large body of infantry appears, visually dominated by flags and standards, indicating an organized and formidable military presence.