Shloka 26
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
यथा श्वेतो महानागो देवराजचमूं तथा । नागो मणिमयो राज्ञो ध्वज: कनकसंवृत:,जैसे श्वेत वर्णका महान् ऐरावत हाथी देवराजकी सेनाको सुशोभित करता है, उसी प्रकार राजा दुर्योधनका सुवर्णमण्डित ध्वज मणिमय गजराजके चिह्लसे उपलक्षित होता था
sañjaya uvāca |
yathā śveto mahānāgo devarājacamūṃ tathā |
nāgo maṇimayo rājño dhvajaḥ kanakasaṃvṛtaḥ ||
यथा श्वेतो महानागो देवराजचमूं तथा । नागो मणिमयो राज्ञो ध्वजः कनकसंवृतः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward grandeur—banners, emblems, and comparisons to divine symbols—functions to project authority and morale in war; ethically, such splendor is not itself dharma, but a tool whose value depends on the righteousness of the side that wields it.
Sañjaya describes Duryodhana’s banner on the battlefield, saying it was gold-covered and distinguished by an elephant emblem, likening its prominence to Airāvata adorning Indra’s army.