Descriptions of War Flags and Bows – Stories from Drona Parva

After describing the horses used by various warriors in the Kurukshetra war, Sanjaya described the war flags and bows upon Dhritarashtra’s request.

(Note: This information has been sourced from The Mahabharata of Vyasa, Book 7: Drona Parva, translation by Prof. P. Lal)

War Flags

• Dorna’s war flag was made of black deerskin and had an emblem of a water pot (since he was born from a water pot). 
• Bhima’s war flag had a silver lion with blue (lapis lazuli) eyes. 
• Yudhistira’s war flag was attached to a golden staff with planets and two drums named Nanda and Upananda that sounded melodiously whenever the chariot moved.
• Nakula’s war flag had a gold-backed beast that terrified his enemies. 
• Sahadeva’s war flag had a swan in silver work, decorated with little bells and pennants.
• Draupadi’s five sons had the figures of Dharma, Maruta, Sakra-Indra, and the Ashwins on their respective war flags (the birth fathers of their fathers).
• Abhimanyu’s war flag had a peacock that dazzled like molten gold. 
• Ghatotkacha’s war flag had a vulture.

Bows 

• Yudhistira used the Mahendra bow.
• Bhima had a Vayavya bow. 
• Arjuna used his favorite Gandiva bow.
• Nakula used the Vaishnava bow.
• Sahavdeva had an Ashwin bow.
• Draupdia’s sons used the following bows: Raudra, Agneya, Kaubera, Yamya, and Girisha.
• Abhimanyu used a bow gifted by Balarama, a bow he received from Rudra. 

Interesting, isn’t it?