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Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 6

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda

Arrow-storm Engagement

पताकाश्व ततस्तास्तु श्वसनेन समीरिता:

patākāśva tatastāstu śvasanena samīritāḥ

Disse Sañjaya: Então aquelas bandeiras e aqueles cavalos puseram-se em movimento, agitados pela força de sua respiração — imagem da energia inquieta do campo de batalha, onde até os sinais da honra marcial (as insígnias) e os instrumentos da guerra (os corcéis) respondem ao ímpeto de vida e esforço diante da violência iminente.

पताकाःflags, banners
पताकाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपताका
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural
अथthen, now
अथ:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
ततःthereupon, from there/then
ततः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः
ताःthose (fem. pl.)
ताः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural
तुbut, indeed
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
श्वसनेनby the blowing/breath (i.e., wind)
श्वसनेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootश्वसन
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
समीरिताःset in motion, stirred, driven
समीरिताः:
TypeAdjective
Rootसम्-ईरित
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
P
patākā (banners/flags)
A
aśvāḥ (horses)

Educational Q&A

The verse underscores how war’s intensity permeates everything: breath, movement, and symbols of honor. It invites reflection on the living force driving conflict—courage and exertion on one side, but also the tragic momentum that carries all beings and objects into violence.

Sañjaya describes a vivid battlefield moment: banners and horses are seen as moving or fluttering, driven by the horses’ heavy breathing and agitation, conveying the charged atmosphere as armies prepare or engage.