Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 143
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
तथा ध्वजं सारथिं च त्रिभिस्त्रिेभिरपातयत् । उसने अपने तीखे बाणोंद्वारा नकुलके घोड़ोंको भी मृत्युके हवाले कर दिया तथा तीन- तीन बाणोंसे उनके ध्वज और सारथिको भी काट गिराया
tathā dhvajaṃ sārathiṃ ca tribhis tribhir apātayat |
Sañjaya said: In the same manner, he struck down the banner and the charioteer with three arrows each. With his keen shafts he also consigned Nakula’s horses to death.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh logic of battlefield strategy: victory often comes by dismantling the opponent’s supports (horses, charioteer, banner) rather than only confronting the warrior head-on. Ethically, it reflects the grim reality of kṣatriya warfare, where skill and effectiveness can intensify suffering even when performed within the accepted norms of battle.
Sañjaya reports that a warrior (implied by context) shoots with great precision: he kills Nakula’s horses and then, using three arrows each, brings down the chariot’s banner and the charioteer, effectively crippling Nakula’s mobility and combat position.
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