Shloka 93

Devanagari script

कर्णस्याशीविषनि भा रत्नसारमयी दृढा । पुरन्दरधनु:प्रख्या हस्तिकक्ष्या व्ययाजत

Transliteration

karṇasyāśīviṣanibhā ratnasāramayī dṛḍhā | purandaradhanuḥprakhyā hastikakṣyā vyayājata ||

Translation

桑阇耶说道：在迦尔那的旗帜上，有一段如象带般的链状徽记熠熠生辉，由宝玉精华铸成，坚固不屈。它盘绕如毒蛇，光彩如天际因陀罗之弓，宣示着迦尔那战旗的华耀与武者的骄烈，置身于正义而又摧折万物的战场之中。

Word by Word

• कर्णस्य: of Karna
• कर्णस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• आशीविषनिभा: having the appearance of a venomous serpent
• आशीविषनिभा: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आशीविष-निभा
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• रत्नसारमयी: made of the essence/solid mass of gems
• रत्नसारमयी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्नसार-मय
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• दृढा: firm, strong
• दृढा: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• पुरन्दरधनुःप्रख्या: splendid like Purandara's (Indra's) bow (rainbow-like)
• पुरन्दरधनुःप्रख्या: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुरन्दर-धनुस्-प्रख्या
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• हस्तिकक्ष्या: elephant-girth/strap (chain-like band)
• हस्तिकक्ष्या: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्ति-कक्ष्या
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• व्ययाजत्: shone, appeared splendid
• व्ययाजत्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (यजँ देवपूजासंगतिकरणदानेषु) + वि-
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3rd, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Karṇa
• Purandara (Indra)
• dhvaja/patākā (banner/standard)
• hastikakṣyā (elephant-chain/girth emblem)
• āśīviṣa (venomous serpent)
• Indra’s bow (rainbow)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores how outward splendor—martial emblems, banners, and radiant insignia—can project power and prestige in war, yet remains part of a larger dharmic tragedy where brilliance and strength do not by themselves determine righteousness or ultimate outcome.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing Karṇa’s war-standard: an elephant-chain-like emblem on the banner, jewel-made and strong, shaped like a venomous serpent and shining like Indra’s rainbow—highlighting Karṇa’s formidable presence on the battlefield.