07.080
Dhritarashtra spoke:
O Sanjaya, describe my flags of various kinds, shining with great splendor, belonging to both the sons of Pritha and myself.
Sanjaya said:
Listen to the various forms of flags belonging to the great souls; understand them by their form, color, and name, as I tell you.
The various flags on their chariots appeared to be shining like fire, O King.
The peaks of the great golden mountain, adorned with golden garlands and crests, appear as if they are made of gold.
The flags were completely covered with banners all around, shining in various colors, and were visible everywhere.
The flags, stirred by the wind, appeared to be dancing like performers in the center of the stage.
O best of the Bharatas, the flags, resembling the color of Indra's weapon, wave and adorn the great chariots of the warriors.
In the battle of Dhananjaya, we observed the terrifying flag that had the characteristics of a monkey, with a lion's tail and a fierce face.
The best of monkeys, adorned with flags, frightened the army, O king, as the flag of the wielder of the Gandiva bow waved.
Similarly, O Bharata, we observed the lion-tailed flag top of Drona's son, glowing like the rising sun.
The golden flag, blown by the wind and shining like Indra's banner, was the pride of the Kaurava lords, marked and raised by Drona's son.
The elephant's compartment on the charioteer's flag turned golden once more. In the battle, it appeared in the sky, seemingly filling it, O great king.
In the battle, Karna's banner, adorned with a golden garland, appeared to dance on the chariot seat as it was stirred by the wind.
The renowned Brāhmaṇa teacher of the Pāṇḍavas had a well-adorned bull belonging to Gautama, which was of Kṛpa.
O king, the great chariot shines by the bull, just as the chariot of the destroyer of Tripura shines by the bull.
Vṛṣasena's peacock, golden and adorned with jewels and gems, stood at the forefront of the army, as if about to speak, enhancing its splendor.
By that, his chariot shines with the peacock, O king, just as the chariot of the great soul Skanda shines with the peacock.
We behold Sītā, who is golden, incomparable, and auspicious, like a flame of fire on the top of King Śalya's flag.
Sita, having mounted his chariot, shines brightly, O dear, like all seeds that have sprouted, surrounded by splendor.
The boar emblem of the ocean king, shining brightly from the silver, resembles a sun that is not red, and is adorned with a golden net at the top of the flag.
Jayadratha shone with that royal banner, just as Pūṣā shone in the ancient battle between the gods and demons.
The sacrificial post of the wise and devoted Saumadatta shines like the sun, and the moon is also visible here.
The golden sacrificial post of Saumadatta stands out, O king, in the Rajasuya sacrifice, much like an erected post in the finest of rituals.
O great king, the magnificent elephant of Śala was adorned with a banner featuring golden and variegated designs and peacocks, resembling silver.
The banner adorned your army, O best of the Bharatas, just as the white great serpent adorns the army of the king of gods.
The king's chariot, adorned with a jewel-made serpent flag covered in gold and resonating with the sound of hundreds of bells, shines brilliantly.
Your son, O king, shone brightly in the battle as the leader of the Kurus with his great banner, O lord of the people.
In your army, nine great banners are raised, shining brightly like the sun at the end of an era, illuminating the entire army.
The tenth banner of Arjuna had only one great monkey. Arjuna was shining like the Himalayas set ablaze by fire.
Then the great warriors, known for defeating their enemies, swiftly took up the diverse and splendid large bows for the purpose of aiding Arjuna.
In the same manner, Arjuna, known for his divine deeds and as the destroyer of enemies, stretched his bow Gandiva, which was ill-advised by you, O king.
Because of your mistake, many men, gathered from various directions with horses, chariots, and elephants, were killed in battle in various ways.
There was a loud interruption among them, as Duryodhana and his followers, along with the Pandavas and the bull, roared at one another.
In that place, Arjuna, with Krishna as his charioteer, performed a supreme wonder by fearlessly confronting many opponents alone.
The mighty-armed Arjuna shone as he wielded the Gandiva bow, eager for victory over the warriors and determined to kill Jayadratha.
In that place, O great king, Arjuna, the tormentor of enemies, made your warriors invisible by releasing thousands of arrows.
Then all the great warriors, like tigers among men, made Arjuna invisible in the battle by surrounding him with a shower of arrows.
Arjuna, the mighty warrior of the Kurus, was surrounded by lion-hearted men, and a great roar arose from his army.
