Shloka 8
Lokapāla-samāgamaḥ—Arjuna Receives Astras from the World-Guardians
Book 3, Chapter 42
तत्रापश्यन्महानीलं वैजयन्तं महाप्रभम् | ध्वजमिन्दीवरश्यामं वंशं कनकभूषणम्,अर्जुनने उस रथपर अत्यन्त नीलवर्णवाले महातेजस्वी “वैजयन्त” नामक इन्द्रध्वजको फहराता देखा। उसकी श्याम सुषमा नील कमलकी शोभाको तिरस्कृत कर रही थी। उस ध्वजके दण्डमें सुवर्ण मढ़ा हुआ था
tatrāpaśyan mahānīlaṃ vaijayantaṃ mahāprabham | dhvajam indīvaraśyāmaṃ vaṃśaṃ kanakabhūṣaṇam ||
Doon ay nakita nila ang malaking bandilang bughaw na ubod-dilim na tinatawag na Vaijayanta, nagliliwanag sa karangyaan—ang watawat ni Indra—na ang lalim ng kulay ay humihigit pa sa ganda ng bughaw na lotus. Kawayan ang tungkod nito at pinalamutian ng ginto. Ang tanawing ito’y hudyat ng basbas ng mga diyos at ng kapangyarihang maharlika, tanda na ang karwahe’y nasa ilalim ng pag-iingat ng langit, kaya nararapat ang paggalang at pagpipigil sa pagkilos.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible symbols—like a divine or royal standard—communicate legitimacy, protection, and responsibility. Such power-signs are not merely for pride; they imply restraint, right conduct, and awareness that one’s actions carry public and ethical weight.
Vaiśampāyana describes the onlookers seeing a splendid, dark-blue banner called Vaijayanta—Indra’s standard—flying on a chariot. Its lotus-like hue and gold-adorned bamboo staff emphasize the chariot’s extraordinary, divinely marked presence.