Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 21

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda

Arrow-storm Engagement

Devanagari script

शुशुभे केतुना तेन राजतेन जयद्रथ:

Transliteration

śuśubhe ketunā tena rājatenā jayadrathaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya nói: “Được tô điểm bởi lá cờ rực sáng ấy, Jayadratha nổi bật chói lòa—huy hiệu của ông khiến ông hiện rõ giữa cơn hỗn loạn chiến trường, nhắc rằng trong chiến tranh, những dấu hiệu bề ngoài của quyền lực và uy danh vừa có thể khích lệ đồng minh, vừa có thể mời gọi hiểm nguy.”

Word by Word

• शुशुभे: shone, was splendid
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुभ्
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect), Ātmanepada, 3, Singular

• केतुना: with/by the banner (standard)
• केतुना: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

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

• राजतेन: silver(-colored), made of silver
• राजतेन: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजत
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• जयद्रथः: Jayadratha
• जयद्रथः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: जयद्रथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Jayadratha
• ketu (banner/standard)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how external symbols of status—like a radiant banner—can magnify a warrior’s presence. Ethically, it suggests that display and reputation in war are double-edged: they bolster morale and authority, yet also mark one out for consequence and retribution.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Jayadratha on the battlefield, emphasizing that he appears especially prominent because of his bright, shining standard.