Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 2736
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
ध्वजेन महता संख्ये कुरूणामृषभस्तदा । प्रजानाथ! वह विचित्र ध्वज दुर्योधनके उत्तम रथपर सैकड़ों क्षुद्रधंटिकाओंकी ध्वनिसे शोभायमान था। उस महान् ध्वजसे युद्धस्थलमें आपके पुत्र कुरुश्रेष्ठ दुर्योधनकी उस समय बड़ी शोभा हो रही थी
sañjaya uvāca |
dhvajena mahatā saṅkhye kurūṇām ṛṣabhas tadā |
pracalac-citra-dhvajo duryodhanasya ratho varaḥ |
śataśo kṣudra-ghaṇṭikā-ninādair abhirañjitaḥ |
tena dhvajena yuddha-sthale tava putrasya kurū-śreṣṭhasya tadā mahān śobhā babhūva ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Sa gitna ng labanan, ang inyong anak—si Duryodhana, ang pinakadakila sa mga Kuru—ay nagningning nang lubos. Ang kanyang mainam na karwahe, may dakilang bandila at makulay na pamantayang kumikilos, ay lalo pang naging maringal dahil sa pagkalansing ng daan-daang maliliit na kampanilya. Sa pamamagitan ng mataas na bandilang iyon, siya’y nagpakitang lalo pang marilag sa larangan—larawan ng maharlikang pagmamataas at pagpapamalas ng lakas-militar sa gitna ng bigat ng dharma sa digmaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward splendour—banner, chariot, and martial pageantry—can magnify a warrior’s presence, yet it implicitly contrasts such display with the deeper ethical weight of the war. It invites reflection on how glory and pride operate within a conflict whose righteousness is contested.
Sanjaya describes to Dhritarashtra how Duryodhana appears on the battlefield: his fine chariot carries a great, ornate, fluttering banner, and the sound of many small bells makes it striking. This is a visual-and-auditory portrait of Duryodhana’s prominence among the Kurus at that moment.