Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 26
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda
Arrow-storm Engagement
यथा श्वेतो महानागो देवराजचमूं तथा । नागो मणिमयो राज्ञो ध्वज: कनकसंवृत:
sañjaya uvāca |
yathā śveto mahānāgo devarājacamūṃ tathā |
nāgo maṇimayo rājño dhvajaḥ kanakasaṃvṛtaḥ ||
三阇耶说道：正如大神王因陀罗的军队因白象爱罗婆多而增辉，杜罗约陀那王那面覆以黄金的军旗亦同样夺目，其上标绘着如宝玉般的象王徽记。此偈指出：战争中，王权常借象征之物来鼓舞己方、震慑敌军；然而这等华丽本身并无善恶，终究取决于它所服务之事业是否合乎正法。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward grandeur—banners, emblems, and comparisons to divine symbols—functions to project authority and morale in war; ethically, such splendor is not itself dharma, but a tool whose value depends on the righteousness of the side that wields it.
Sañjaya describes Duryodhana’s banner on the battlefield, saying it was gold-covered and distinguished by an elephant emblem, likening its prominence to Airāvata adorning Indra’s army.