Shloka 4
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १४१: कर्ण–कृष्णसंवादः, उत्पात-स्वप्न-लक्षणानि
Karna–Krishna Dialogue: Omens and Dream-Signs
दिव्या माया विहिता भौमनेन समुच्छिता इन्द्रकेतुप्रकाशा । दिव्यानि भूतानि जयावहानि दृश्यन्ति चैवात्र भयानकानि
sañjaya uvāca |
divyā māyā vihitā bhaumanena samucchitā indraketuprakāśā |
divyāni bhūtāni jayāvahāni dṛśyante caivātra bhayānakāni ||
那旗上由毗首羯磨（婆乌摩那）施设奇妙的天幻而高举，光辉灿然，如因陀罗之旗。其上可见诸天神异之形——预示胜利的征兆——却也有令人胆寒的可怖相貌。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal power in the Mahābhārata is framed not only through human strategy but also through signs and crafted symbols: a banner can embody both auspicious promise (victory-bringing omens) and dread (terrifying forms), reminding listeners that war is morally weighty and psychologically overwhelming even when success is foretold.
Sañjaya reports the appearance of a lofty, radiant standard fashioned through divine craftsmanship (māyā) by Bhaumana/Viśvakarman. It shines like Indra’s banner, and on it appear supernatural figures—some interpreted as auspicious for victory, others frightening—serving as portent-laden imagery in the lead-up to conflict.