Shloka 43
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
किड्किणीजालबद्धानां काज्चनस्रग्वराम्बरै: | महतां सपताकानामादित्यसमतेजसाम्
kiḍkiṇījālabaddhānāṁ kāñcanasragvarāmbaraiḥ | mahatāṁ sapatākānām ādityasamatejasām ||
Sañjaya thưa: “(Những chiến xa ấy) được gắn những mạng lưới chuông leng keng, trang sức bằng vòng hoa vàng và những tấm phủ lộng lẫy. Chúng đồ sộ, mang cờ cao vút, rực sáng với hào quang ngang mặt trời.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.
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.