Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 11
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
ध्वजाग्रं समपश्याम बालसूर्यसमप्रभम् | भारत! इसी प्रकार हमलोगोंने द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामा-के श्रेष्ठ ध्वजको प्रातः:कालीन सूर्यके समान अरुण कान्तिसे प्रकाशित देखा था। उसमें सिंहकी पूँछका चिह्न था || १०३ || काज्चनं पवनोदधूतं शक्रध्वजसमप्रभम्
sañjaya uvāca |
dhvajāgraṃ samapaśyāma bālasūryasamaprabham |
kāñcanaṃ pavanoddhūtaṃ śakradhvajasamaprabham ||
Sañjaya nói: “Hỡi Bhārata, chúng ta đã thấy đỉnh cờ—rực sáng như mặt trời non buổi sớm—màu vàng óng, phấp phới trong gió, chói ngời như kỳ hiệu của Indra.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward signs—like a radiant banner—function in war as markers of authority and morale. Ethically, it hints that splendor and power-symbols can intensify conflict by projecting dominance, even when the deeper consequences of violence remain grave.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that they saw the crest of a banner shining like the morning sun—golden, wind-tossed, and comparable in brilliance to Indra’s standard—signaling the presence and martial prominence of Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāmā in the battle scene.