Shloka 39
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
दुर्योधनस्तु भीमस्य शरेणानतपर्वणा । चिच्छेदादिश्य संग्रामे ध्वजं हेमपरिष्कृतम्,दुर्योधनने घोषणा करके झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणसे संग्राममें भीमसेनके सुवर्णभूषित ध्वजको काट डाला
duryodhanas tu bhīmasya śareṇānataparvaṇā | cicchedādiśya saṅgrāme dhvajaṃ hemapariṣkṛtam ||
সঞ্জয় বললেন—যুদ্ধের ঘোরতরে দুর্যোধন ভীমকে লক্ষ্য করে বাঁকা গাঁটওয়ালা বাণে ভীমসেনের স্বর্ণভূষিত ধ্বজ ছিন্ন করল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare targets not only bodies but symbols: striking a warrior’s standard is a psychological and honor-based blow, reflecting the battlefield reality that morale and reputation can be attacked through emblems and public signs of prowess.
Sañjaya narrates that Duryodhana, taking aim at Bhīma, shoots a barbed arrow that cuts down Bhīma’s gold-adorned banner in the midst of combat.