Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 163
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
व्याहरिष्यन्निवातिष्ठत् सेनाग्रमुपशो भयन् । वृषसेनका मणिरत्नविभूषित सुवर्णमय ध्वज मयूर-चिह्नसे युक्त था। वह मयूर सेनाके अग्रभागकी शोभा बढ़ाता हुआ इस प्रकार खड़ा था, मानो बोल देगा
sañjaya uvāca | vyāhariṣyann iva atiṣṭhat senāgram upaśobhayat | vṛṣaseṇasya maṇiratna-vibhūṣitaḥ suvarṇamayo dhvajaḥ mayūra-cihnasena yuktaḥ | sa mayūraḥ senāyā agre bhāṃtiṃ vardhayan evaṃ tiṣṭhat, iva vaktum ārabdhaḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Sa pinakaharap ng hukbo ay may nakatayong watawat na ginto, pinalamutian ng mga hiyas, na wari’y magsasalita. May sagisag ng pabo real, pinatitingkad nito ang karangyaan ng unahang hanay at tila ipinahahayag ng mismong anyo nito ang dangal at paninindigan ng panig ni Vṛṣasena sa gitna ng digmaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward symbols—banners, emblems, and splendour—serve as moral and psychological instruments in war: they rally troops, project confidence, and communicate intent without words, reminding readers that appearances can function as powerful declarations in ethical and strategic contexts.
Sanjaya describes a striking banner at the army’s forefront: a golden standard, gem-adorned, bearing a peacock emblem associated with Vrishasena. Its vivid presence beautifies the vanguard and seems ‘ready to speak,’ as if announcing the army’s spirit before battle.