Shloka 326
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
सुषेणं पञ्चभिर्विद्ध्वा ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छिदे । फिर तो नकुल क्रोधसे तमतमा उठे और दूसरा धनुष लेकर उन्होंने पाँच बाणोंसे सुषेणको घायल करके एकसे उसकी ध्वजाको भी काट डाला
suṣeṇaṁ pañcabhir viddhvā dhvajam ekena cicchide |
قال سنجيا: بعدما طعن سوشينا بخمسة سهام، قطع رايتَه بسهمٍ واحد. كان ذلك فعلاً يراد به كسر كبرياء العدو وإعلان الغلبة في خِضَمِّ واجب ساحة القتال الذي لا يلين.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the Mahābhārata’s war ethic, a kṣatriya’s duty is to fight decisively; striking the opponent and cutting the banner symbolizes not only physical victory but the contest of honor, where courage and resolve are tested under dharma-bound warfare.
Sañjaya reports a combat moment: the attacker wounds Suṣeṇa with five arrows and then cuts down his chariot-banner with one arrow, a tactical and symbolic blow meant to demoralize and mark superiority.