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

三阇耶说道：“在那光耀的战旗装点之下，阇耶陀罗陀熠熠夺目——其徽记使他在战场纷乱中格外显眼；这也提醒人们：战争里，权势与荣名的外在标识既能鼓舞同盟，也会招来凶险。”

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.