Shloka 46

भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 54: फल्गुन-प्रतिरोधः, सौबली-व्यूह-विध्वंसः, दुर्योधन-भीष्म-संवादः

Devanagari script

बभूव परमोपेत: सुमेरुरिव भानुना । आर्य! रथके मार्गोंपर अर्जुनका वह ध्वज नृत्य करता-सा प्रतीत होता था। उस रत्नयुक्त ध्वजसे अर्जुनकी और गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनसे उस ध्वजकी बड़ी शोभा होती थी

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | babhūva paramopetaḥ sumerur iva bhānunā | ārya! rathake mārge upari arjunakā sa dhvajaḥ nṛtya karatā-sā pratīta hotā thā | tasya ratna-yuktasya dhvajasyārjunasya ca gāṇḍīva-dhāriṇaḥ arjunasya ca dhvajasyāpi mahān śobhā babhūva | yathā meru-parvatasya sūryeṇa sūryasya ca meru-parvateṇa śobhā bhavati ||

Translation

三阇耶说道：“噢，尊贵者，阿周那装饰得无比华美，宛如日光照耀下的须弥山。战车沿路驰行时，那镶嵌宝石的旗幡仿佛在舞动。宝饰之旌增添阿周那的威仪，而执持甘狄瓦的阿周那又反过来使旗幡更显荣耀——正如须弥因太阳而更美，太阳的光辉也因须弥而更显夺目。”

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'sañjaya uvāca', 'definition': 'Sanjaya said'}, {'term': 'babhūva', 'definition': 'became

• appeared'}, {'term': 'paramopetaḥ', 'definition': 'supremely endowed/adorned

• excellently equipped'}, {'term': 'sumeruḥ', 'definition': 'Mount Meru (cosmic mountain)'}, {'term': 'iva', 'definition': 'like

• as'}, {'term': 'bhānunā', 'definition': 'by the sun

• with sunlight'}, {'term': 'ratha', 'definition': 'chariot'}, {'term': 'mārga', 'definition': 'road

• path'}, {'term': 'upari', 'definition': 'above

• on top'}, {'term': 'dhvajaḥ', 'definition': 'banner

• standard'}, {'term': 'ratna-yukta', 'definition': 'adorned with gems'}, {'term': 'nṛtya iva pratītaḥ', 'definition': 'appearing as if dancing'}, {'term': 'gāṇḍīva-dhārin', 'definition': 'bearer of the bow Gāṇḍīva (epithet of Arjuna)'}, {'term': 'śobhā', 'definition': 'splendor

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Arjuna
• Gāṇḍīva (bow)
• Dhvaja (banner/standard)
• Sumeru (Mount Meru)
• Bhānu/Sūrya (the Sun)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how inner excellence (Arjuna’s valor and readiness) and outer symbols of duty (the jeweled banner, chariot insignia) mutually reinforce each other. In a dharmic context, rightful strength is not mere display; it becomes a sign of purpose and moral resolve, making the warrior’s presence inspiring and formidable.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya, narrating to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, describes Arjuna advancing in his chariot. His gem-studded banner seems to ‘dance’ as the chariot moves, and Sanjaya uses the Meru-and-sun comparison to convey the extraordinary splendor and auspicious prominence of Arjuna and his standard on the battlefield.