Shloka 2736
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
ध्वजेन महता संख्ये कुरूणामृषभस्तदा । प्रजानाथ! वह विचित्र ध्वज दुर्योधनके उत्तम रथपर सैकड़ों क्षुद्रधंटिकाओंकी ध्वनिसे शोभायमान था। उस महान् ध्वजसे युद्धस्थलमें आपके पुत्र कुरुश्रेष्ठ दुर्योधनकी उस समय बड़ी शोभा हो रही थी
sañjaya uvāca |
dhvajena mahatā saṅkhye kurūṇām ṛṣabhas tadā |
pracalac-citra-dhvajo duryodhanasya ratho varaḥ |
śataśo kṣudra-ghaṇṭikā-ninādair abhirañjitaḥ |
tena dhvajena yuddha-sthale tava putrasya kurū-śreṣṭhasya tadā mahān śobhā babhūva ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ସେହି ସମୟରେ ଯୁଦ୍ଧଭୂମିରେ କୁରୁଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ତୁମ ପୁତ୍ର ଦୁର୍ୟୋଧନ ମହାଧ୍ୱଜ ଧାରଣ କରି ଦୀପ୍ତିମାନ ହେଉଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କ ଉତ୍ତମ ରଥରେ ବିଚିତ୍ର ପତାକା ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ଶତଶଃ କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ର ଘଣ୍ଟିକାର ନିନାଦରେ ତାହା ଅଧିକ ଶୋଭା ପାଉଥିଲା; ସେହି ଉଚ୍ଚ ଧ୍ୱଜ ଦ୍ୱାରା ରଣଭୂମିରେ ସେ ବିଶେଷ ଭାବେ ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଳ ଦିଶୁଥିଲେ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward splendour—banner, chariot, and martial pageantry—can magnify a warrior’s presence, yet it implicitly contrasts such display with the deeper ethical weight of the war. It invites reflection on how glory and pride operate within a conflict whose righteousness is contested.
Sanjaya describes to Dhritarashtra how Duryodhana appears on the battlefield: his fine chariot carries a great, ornate, fluttering banner, and the sound of many small bells makes it striking. This is a visual-and-auditory portrait of Duryodhana’s prominence among the Kurus at that moment.