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?