Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 23
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
ध्वज: सूर्य इवाभाति सोमश्नात्र प्रदृश्यते । सदा यज्ञमें लगे रहनेवाले बुद्धिमान् भूरिश्रवाके रथमें यूपका चिह्न बना था। वह ध्वज सूर्यके समान प्रकाशित होता था और उसमें चन्द्रमाका चिह्न भी दृष्टिगोचर होता था ।।
dhvajaḥ sūrya ivābhāti somaśnāttra pradṛśyate | sadā yajñameṃ lage rahanevāle buddhimān bhūriśravāke rathameṃ yūpakā cihna banā thā | vaha dhvaja sūryake samāna prakāśita hotā thā aura usameṃ candramākā cihna bhī dṛṣṭigocara hotā thā || sa yūpaḥ kāñcano rājan saumadatte virājate ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Ang watawat ay nagningning na parang araw, at sa ibabaw nito’y tanaw rin ang sagisag ng buwan. Sa karwahe ng marunong na si Bhūriśravā—na laging nakatuon sa mga pagtalima sa paghahandog—nakatindig ang tanda ng yūpa (haliging handog). Ang yūpa na iyon, O hari, na yari sa ginto, ay kumikislap nang maringal sa sasakyan ni Saumadatta—iniiuugnay ang pagkakakilanlan ng mandirigma sa digmaan sa dangal at disiplina ng ritong Veda.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid warfare, a warrior’s public symbols (like a banner) are used to project identity and values. Here the yūpa emblem ties Bhūriśravā’s fame to Vedic discipline and sacrificial culture, suggesting that social honor in the epic is often grounded in perceived dharma—ritual merit, lineage, and self-control—alongside martial prowess.
Sañjaya describes to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra the appearance of Bhūriśravā’s chariot-banner: it shines like the sun, bears a moon emblem, and prominently displays a golden yūpa (sacrificial post) sign, highlighting the warrior’s distinguished presence on the battlefield.