Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 13

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda

Arrow-storm Engagement

Devanagari script

पताका काज्चनी स्रग्वी ध्वजे कर्णस्य संयुगे

Transliteration

patākā kāñcanī sragvī dhvaje karṇasya saṁyuge

Translation

சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—போர்க்களத்தில் கர்ணனின் கொடியில் பொன்னான பட்டாகை இருந்தது; அது மாலைகளால் அலங்கரிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது.

Word by Word

• पताका: banner/flag
• पताका: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पताका
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• काञ्चनी: golden
• काञ्चनी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चनी
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• स्रग्वी: garlanded; wearing a garland
• स्रग्वी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्रग्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ध्वजे: on the standard/flagstaff
• ध्वजे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• कर्णस्य: of Karna
• कर्णस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• संयुगे: in battle; in the combat
• संयुगे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: संयुग
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Karṇa
• dhvaja (battle standard/banner)
• patākā (flag/banner)
• srag (garland)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how outward symbols—standards, banners, and adornments—function in war as markers of identity, prestige, and resolve; ethically, it underscores the Kṣatriya world where honor and reputation are displayed even amid destructive conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing Karṇa’s battle-standard during the fighting, noting that it bore a golden banner and was garlanded—an observational detail that situates Karṇa’s presence and grandeur on the battlefield.