Shloka 16
अध्याय ४ — दुर्योधनस्य असंधि-निश्चयः
Duryodhana’s Refusal of Reconciliation
इन्द्रकार्मुकतुल्या भमिन्द्रकेतुमिवोच्छितम् । वानरं केतुमासाद्य संचचाल महाचमू:,“उनका वानरध्वज इन्द्रधनुषके तुल्य बहुरंगा और इन्द्रध्वजके समान अत्यन्त ऊँचा है। उसके पास पहुँचकर हमारी विशाल सेना भयसे विचलित हो उठती है
indrakārmukatulyā bham indraketum ivocchritam | vānaradhvajaṃ ketum āsādya saṃcacāla mahācamūḥ ||
Disse Sañjaya: “Seu estandarte do macaco, multicolor como o arco-íris de Indra e elevado como o estandarte de Indra, ergue-se no alto. Ao nos aproximarmos desse emblema, nosso vasto exército vacila — sua confiança é perturbada pelo medo.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how symbols of righteousness, divine association, and heroic reputation can affect morale in war: an emblem (Arjuna’s Hanumān-banner) becomes a psychological force that steadies allies and unsettles opponents, showing that inner confidence and perceived dharmic support influence outcomes.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pandava side’s chariot-banner—Arjuna’s monkey-standard—appears brilliantly multicoloured like a rainbow and very tall like Indra’s standard; when the Kaurava troops come near it, their great army trembles and becomes fearful.