Shloka 126

Saṃjaya’s Warning to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Accountability, Alliance-Shift, and the Pāṇḍava Strategic Edge

Devanagari script

वानरो रोचमानश्न केतुः केतुमतां वर: । बाण चलानेवाले वीरोंमें अर्जुन श्रेष्ठ हैं

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | vānaro rocamānaś ca ketuḥ ketumatāṃ varaḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya berkata: “Panji bertanda kera—bersinar dan terunggul antara segala panji—tampak sebagai lambang terbaik di antara semua bendera kebesaran.” Dalam konteksnya, pujian terhadap panji kera Arjuna (tanda Hanumān) berfungsi sebagai jaminan etika: pihak yang berpihak kepada dharma diteguhkan bukan sahaja oleh senjata dan kemahiran, tetapi juga oleh tanda-tanda mujarab yang membangkitkan keberanian dan keteguhan hati.

Word by Word

• वानरः: monkey (Hanuman)
• वानरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• रोचमानः: shining, resplendent
• रोचमानः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुच्
• Form: शानच् (present active participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• केतुः: banner, standard
• केतुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• केतुमताम्: of those having banners (standard-bearers)
• केतुमताम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केतुमत्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• वरः: best, excellent
• वरः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Arjuna (implied by the monkey-banner)
• Hanumān (implied by the monkey emblem)
• Ketu (banner/standard as an object)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Righteous strength is not merely technical prowess; it is also sustained by auspicious signs and devotional associations that steady the mind and inspire courage. The radiant monkey-banner symbolizes moral confidence and divine support aligned with dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing and praising the foremost standards among banners, highlighting the radiant monkey-emblem banner associated with Arjuna—an omen-like affirmation of the Pandava side’s formidable and auspicious preparedness for the coming conflict.