Shloka 3

अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः

Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon

Devanagari script

अजुन उवाच यत्रैषा काज्चनी वेदी ध्वजे यस्य प्रकाशते । उच्छिता प्रवरे दण्डे पताकाभिरलड्कृता । अत्र मां वह भद्ठ ते द्रोणानीकाय सारथे

Transliteration

arjuna uvāca | yatraiṣā kāñcanī vedī dhvaje yasya prakāśate | ucchritā pravare daṇḍe patākābhir alaṅkṛtā | atra māṃ vaha bhadra te droṇānīkāya sārathe ||

Translation

అర్జునుడు పలికెను—“సారథీ! నీకు మంగళం కలుగుగాక. ఏ రథధ్వజంపై ఉత్తమ దండం మీద పతాకలతో అలంకరించబడిన ఈ ఎత్తైన స్వర్ణవేదిక ప్రకాశిస్తున్నదో, అక్కడే ద్రోణాచార్యుని సేనావిభాగం ఉంది. నన్ను అక్కడికే తీసుకెళ్లు.”

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'arjuna uvāca', 'definition': 'Arjuna said'}, {'term': 'yatra', 'definition': 'where'}, {'term': 'eṣā', 'definition': 'this (feminine demonstrative)'}, {'term': 'kāñcanī', 'definition': 'golden, made of gold'}, {'term': 'vedī', 'definition': 'platform/altar-like raised base

• here, a prominent emblem on the banner'}, {'term': 'dhvaje', 'definition': 'on the banner/standard'}, {'term': 'yasya', 'definition': 'of which/whose'}, {'term': 'prakāśate', 'definition': 'shines, is visible, appears radiant'}, {'term': 'ucchritā', 'definition': 'raised up, elevated'}, {'term': 'pravare', 'definition': 'excellent, foremost'}, {'term': 'daṇḍe', 'definition': 'staff, pole (of the banner)'}, {'term': 'patākābhiḥ', 'definition': 'with flags/streamers'}, {'term': 'alaṅkṛtā', 'definition': 'adorned, decorated'}, {'term': 'atra', 'definition': 'here, to this place'}, {'term': 'mām', 'definition': 'me'}, {'term': 'vaha', 'definition': 'carry, drive (the chariot)'}, {'term': 'bhadra te', 'definition': 'good be to you

• may you be blessed/well'}, {'term': 'droṇānīkāya', 'definition': 'to Droṇa’s military division/array'}, {'term': 'sārathe', 'definition': 'O charioteer'}]

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna
• Sārathi (charioteer)
• Droṇa
• Droṇa’s army division (Droṇānīka)
• Dhvaja (banner/standard)
• Daṇḍa (banner-pole)
• Patākā (streamers/flags)
• Kāñcanī vedī (golden platform/emblem on the banner)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even in a tense martial setting, Arjuna speaks with restraint and auspicious courtesy (“bhadra te”) while giving precise directions. The verse highlights disciplined conduct and clarity of purpose—ethical self-control alongside strategic action.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna identifies Droṇa’s position by the distinctive banner-mark—an elevated, shining golden emblem adorned with streamers—and instructs his charioteer to drive him toward Droṇa’s battle-division.