Shloka 126

Saṃjaya’s Warning to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Accountability, Alliance-Shift, and the Pāṇḍava Strategic Edge

Devanagari script

वानरो रोचमानश्न केतुः केतुमतां वर: । बाण चलानेवाले वीरोंमें अर्जुन श्रेष्ठ हैं

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | vānaro rocamānaś ca ketuḥ ketumatāṃ varaḥ |

Translation

سنجے نے کہا—بندر کے نشان سے مزین وہ عَلَم تاباں ہے اور تمام جھنڈوں میں افضل۔ تیرانداز بہادروں میں ارجن برتر ہے، کمانوں میں گاندیو سب سے عمدہ؛ تمام جانداروں میں بھگوان شری کرشن برتر ہیں، ہتھیاروں میں سدرشن چکر افضل؛ اور علم بردار پرچموں میں بندر نشان والا پرچم ہی سب سے بہتر اور درخشاں ہے۔

Word by Word

• वानरः: monkey (Hanuman)
• वानरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• रोचमानः: shining, resplendent
• रोचमानः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुच्
• Form: शानच् (present active participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• केतुः: banner, standard
• केतुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• केतुमताम्: of those having banners (standard-bearers)
• केतुमताम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केतुमत्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• वरः: best, excellent
• वरः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Arjuna (implied by the monkey-banner)
• Hanumān (implied by the monkey emblem)
• Ketu (banner/standard as an object)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Righteous strength is not merely technical prowess; it is also sustained by auspicious signs and devotional associations that steady the mind and inspire courage. The radiant monkey-banner symbolizes moral confidence and divine support aligned with dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing and praising the foremost standards among banners, highlighting the radiant monkey-emblem banner associated with Arjuna—an omen-like affirmation of the Pandava side’s formidable and auspicious preparedness for the coming conflict.