Flags and their meanings in Mahabharata

February 24, 2018

Last night I was telling the bedside story to the younger love of my life, when she asked –
“How do you identify the leader of the troop in a war – particularly in a warzone where a lot
of people are fighting against each other”?

While I explained to her how the modern warfare works and how the generals lead the army
today, I also imagined the warcraft of yesterday and started to describe the vivid
imagination fueled by the magnanimity of the movies like Bahubali, Bajirao Mastani and
Padmaavat. The job was simple as we both had watched the movies together. And she
understood all that I told her. Yet a question from her made me fumble – Do all the warriors
have a flag on their chariot, and what do they mean?

In my research for the answer, I stumbled upon the information that I would like to share
with you too.

In the Viraat Parva of Mahabharata, Arjuna under the disguise of Brihannala plays the role
of the charioteer for Prince Uttara of Virata kingdom. Under the conditions for exile, the
Pandavas were supposed to live in forest for 12 years and then 1 year in hiding. If they
were found or their true identity is identified by the Kauravas, their exile term shall get
reinitialized. The news of Kichaka’s death (Virata’s general) signals Kauravas of the
presence of Pandavas. The Kauravas devise a plan to distract the Virata army and the king
for a small border issue, while they attack from the different direction to take out the
Pandavas. Arjuna or Brihannala accompanies Prince Uttara into the battle and then tells
him about his true identity. In this war, Arjuna educates Uttara of all the different leaders in
the Kaurava army and defines their identifications. These remain true for the Mahabharata
war as well. The list below is an attempt to summarize the information found in different
sections of Mahabharata –

Warrior Main skill in warfare Flag Meaning of Flag

The palm tree depicts his
immense knowledge (like
the sap of the tree) and his
ability to raise above all the
Bhishmacharya Archery A palm tree difficult situations.(palm
trees are usually very tall
and Bhishma was the most
respected in lieu of his
stature and behaviour.)
Golden altar decked with a Signifyies his high stature
Dronacharya Archery water-pot and the figure of a as a teacher to all the
bow (vedika) Kauravas and the Pandavas.
Signifies fertility and
Kripacharya Archery A cow and a bull
strength.
Yudhishthira was the eldest
Golden moon with planets of the Kuru clan and thus
Yudhisthira Spear
around it bore the moon - symbol of
Chandravansh
Silver gigantic lion with its
Signifies power and it's eyes
eyes made of lapis lazuli
Bhima Mace instill cold fear in the hearts
(deep blue semi-precious
of the enemy
stone)
Hanuman is an epitome of
knowledge,strength,fame
,courage and fearlessness -
Arjuna Archery Hanuman the very basis on which
Arjuna almost single
handedly won the war for
the Pandavas.
A magnificent creature,
known for its beauty,
Nakula Sword Red deer with golden back
represents the
handsomeness of Nakula
 Known for intellect, Swan
Sahadeva Sword, Axe Silver swan represents the knowledge of
Sahdeva
Signifying his longing for
wealth and his crooked
A snake wearing a diamond
Duryodhana Mace nature.(you can observe a
on its hood
snake does not move in a
straight line!)
Duryodhana
(From Chapter
17 of the Signifying his being the
An elephant adorned with
Bhishma Parva Mace representative of the leader
gems
and Chapter of the Kuru army
101 of the
Drona Parva)
A beautiful white Signifies his ever readiness
Karna Archery
conch(sankha) to go to a battle.
Karna (From
Chapter 17 of
Signifies fear. At the same
the Bhishma
time, signifies him being
Parva and Archery Elephant-rope made of gold
chained by his decisions and
Chapter 101 of
conditions
the Drona
Parva)
The flowers of this tree
represent a torch. The tree
Golden karnikara tree (tree
Abhimanyu Archery itself signifies an abundance
with yellow leaves)
of fruitfullness and
attractiveness
Abhimanyu
(From Chapter Shows the affiliation to
Archery Golden Peacock
23 of the Arjuna and Krishna
Drona Parva)
Vigor and bravery in the
Aswatthama Archery Lion’s tale
battlefield.
Mayavi(Demonic
Ghatotkacha Vulture Feeds on dead
powers)
Jayadratha Silver Boar Bravery
Goddess of Corn represents
beauty and fertility with
every seed. Shalya was
Horse Riding,
Shalya Goddess of Corn brother of Madri - Nakula
Charioteer
and Sahdeva's mother. He
served as charioteer of
Karna.
 Vrishasena was the son of
Vrishasena Peacock and a Plough
Karna and Vrushali
Bhurishrava was the
grandson of king Balhika,
Bhurishrava Sacrificial Stake who was the elder brother of
Shantanu the king of
Hastinapur.
UpaPandavas -
Dharma, Marut, Sakra, and
Draupadi's
the twin Aswins
sons