Shloka 8
Lokapāla-samāgamaḥ—Arjuna Receives Astras from the World-Guardians
Book 3, Chapter 42
तत्रापश्यन्महानीलं वैजयन्तं महाप्रभम् | ध्वजमिन्दीवरश्यामं वंशं कनकभूषणम्,अर्जुनने उस रथपर अत्यन्त नीलवर्णवाले महातेजस्वी “वैजयन्त” नामक इन्द्रध्वजको फहराता देखा। उसकी श्याम सुषमा नील कमलकी शोभाको तिरस्कृत कर रही थी। उस ध्वजके दण्डमें सुवर्ण मढ़ा हुआ था
tatrāpaśyan mahānīlaṃ vaijayantaṃ mahāprabham | dhvajam indīvaraśyāmaṃ vaṃśaṃ kanakabhūṣaṇam ||
Ali contemplaram o grande estandarte azul-escuro chamado Vaijayanta, radiante de esplendor—o estandarte de Indra—cuja tonalidade profunda eclipsava o lótus azul. Seu mastro era de bambu, adornado com ouro. A visão sinalizava sanção divina e autoridade régia, marcando o carro como protegido pelo poder celeste e, por isso, exigindo reverência e contenção nas ações.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible symbols—like a divine or royal standard—communicate legitimacy, protection, and responsibility. Such power-signs are not merely for pride; they imply restraint, right conduct, and awareness that one’s actions carry public and ethical weight.
Vaiśampāyana describes the onlookers seeing a splendid, dark-blue banner called Vaijayanta—Indra’s standard—flying on a chariot. Its lotus-like hue and gold-adorned bamboo staff emphasize the chariot’s extraordinary, divinely marked presence.