Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 17

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda

Arrow-storm Engagement

Devanagari script

तेन तस्य रथो भाति मयूरेण महात्मन:

Transliteration

tena tasya ratho bhāti mayūreṇa mahātmanaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya nói: “Nhờ biểu tượng con công ấy, cỗ chiến xa của bậc đại hồn càng rực sáng—nổi bật và chói lọi giữa cơn náo động của chiến địa, như dấu hiệu báo cho biết sự hiện diện và tầm vóc của ông.”

Word by Word

• तेन: by that (with it)
• तेन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• तस्य: of him / his
• तस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• रथः: chariot
• रथः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• भाति: shines
• Type: Verb
• Root: भा
• Form: Present (Lat), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• मयूरेण: with a peacock (emblem/ornament)
• मयूरेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मयूर
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled (one)
• महात्मनः: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• ratha (chariot)
• mayūra (peacock emblem/ornament)
• mahātmā (the great-souled warrior, unspecified in this pāda)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how outward signs—such as an emblem on a chariot—function as markers of identity and reputation in war. Ethically, it underscores that a warrior’s standing (mahātmā) is recognized not only by deeds but also by the visible symbols that announce leadership and presence amid chaos.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing a battlefield scene to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, noting that a particular great warrior’s chariot is visibly radiant because it bears a peacock emblem/ornament, making it stand out among the forces.