Shloka 43

Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens

Devanagari script

किड्किणीजालबद्धानां काज्चनस्रग्वराम्बरै: | महतां सपताकानामादित्यसमतेजसाम्‌

Transliteration

kiḍkiṇījālabaddhānāṁ kāñcanasragvarāmbaraiḥ | mahatāṁ sapatākānām ādityasamatejasām ||

Translation

سنجے نے کہا— (رتھ/علم) چھن چھن کرتی کِنکِنیوں کے جال سے بندھے ہوئے تھے، سونے کے ہاروں اور نفیس پوشاکوں سے آراستہ۔ بلند پتاکاؤں سمیت وہ عظیم جھنڈے سورج کے برابر تابناک دکھائی دیتے تھے۔

Word by Word

किड्किणीजालबद्धानाम्of those bound with nets of small bells

काञ्चनस्रग्वराम्बरैःwith excellent garments and golden garlands

महताम्of the great (ones)

सपताकानाम्of those having banners/flags

आदित्यसमतेजसाम्of those whose splendor equals the sun

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

āditya (the Sun)

chariots (implied)

banners/standards (patākā)

bells (kiḍkiṇī)

golden garlands (kāñcana-srag)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

This verse is primarily descriptive rather than didactic: it highlights the grandeur and intimidating splendor of the war apparatus, underscoring how worldly power and martial display can appear sun-bright and overwhelming—setting the ethical tension of war where external magnificence contrasts with the inner cost of violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya continues narrating the battlefield scene to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, describing the imposing chariots (and by extension the assembled forces): decorated with bell-nets, golden garlands, fine drapery, tall banners, and shining with sun-like brilliance as the armies prepare for combat.