Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 3
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
तेषां तु रथमुख्यानां रथेषु विविधा ध्वजा: । प्रत्यदृश्यन्त राजेन्द्र ज्वलिता इव पावका:,राजेन्द्र! उन श्रेष्ठ महारथियोंके रथोंपर भाँति-भाँतिके ध्वज प्रज्वलित अग्निके समान तेजस्वी दिखायी देते थे
teṣāṁ tu rathamukhyānāṁ ratheṣu vividhā dhvajāḥ | pratyadṛśyanta rājendra jvalitā iva pāvakāḥ ||
Sañjaya nói: “Tâu bậc vương giả tối thượng, trên những chiến xa của các đại xa chiến ấy, người ta thấy đủ loại cờ xí, rực cháy như lửa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward symbols of power—banners and standards—can intensify the atmosphere of conflict. Ethically, it underscores the seductive grandeur of war: splendor and heroism are vividly displayed even as destruction advances.
Sañjaya describes to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra the battlefield scene: the foremost chariot-warriors have chariots adorned with many kinds of banners, which appear to blaze like fire, emphasizing the formidable presence of the fighters.