Shloka 5
Sauptika-parva Adhyāya 13 — Bhīmasena’s Pursuit of Drauṇi and the Release of a Divine Astra
वैनतेय: स्थितस्तस्यां प्रभामण्डलरश्मिवान् । तस्य सत्यवत: केतुर्भुजगारिरदृश्यत,उस ध्वजापर प्रभापुंज एवं किरणोंसे सुशोभित विनतानन्दन गरुड़ विराज रहे थे। सर्पोके शत्रु गरुड़ सत्यवान् श्रीकृष्णके रथकी पताकाके रूपमें दृष्टिगोचर हो रहे थे
vainateyaḥ sthitas tasyāṃ prabhāmaṇḍalaraśmivān | tasya satyavataḥ ketur bhujagārī dṛśyate ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Ali, sobre aquele carro, estava Vainateya (Garuḍa), radiante com um halo de luz e raios que se derramavam. Como estandarte do veraz (Kṛṣṇa), Garuḍa, o matador de serpentes, era visível como o pavilhão do carro — emblema de proteção divina e de autoridade moral em meio à violência da guerra.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how symbols on a warrior’s chariot can signify moral and spiritual authority: Garuḍa, the radiant serpent-slayer, as Kṛṣṇa’s banner suggests protection, vigilance, and the primacy of truth (satya) even amid the chaos of war.
The narrator describes the chariot’s standard: Garuḍa (Vainateya) appears as the banner of Kṛṣṇa, shining with a halo and rays, visibly crowning the chariot as an auspicious and formidable sign.