Shloka 24
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
ततो ध्वजममोधेषुर्भीष्मस्य नवभि: शरै: | चिच्छेद समरे वीरस्तत उच्चुक्रुशुर्जना:,अभिमन्युके बाण अमोघ थे। उस वीरने समरांगणमें नौ बाणोंद्वारा भीष्मके ध्वजको काट गिराया। यह देख सब लोग उच्च स्वरसे कोलाहल कर उठे
tato dhvajam amogheṣur bhīṣmasya navabhiḥ śaraiḥ | ciccheda samare vīras tata uccukruśur janāḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: Dann hieb jener Held, dessen Pfeile niemals vergeblich waren, mitten in der Schlacht mit neun Schäften Bhīṣmas Banner nieder. Als sie dies sahen, erhoben die Krieger ein lautes Geschrei. Im ethischen Gefüge des Epos bedeutet das Niederstrecken eines Banners nicht nur taktisches Können, sondern eine öffentliche Herausforderung der Würde des Feldherrn, die den moralischen und seelischen Druck des Krieges steigert.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, symbolic acts—like cutting a commander’s banner—carry ethical and psychological weight. Valor is measured not only by killing but also by challenging an opponent’s honor and resolve, reminding readers that warfare escalates through public displays that affect morale and reputation.
During the battle, a heroic warrior described as an unerring archer severs Bhishma’s banner with nine arrows. The assembled fighters react with a loud uproar, marking the deed as a notable feat and a direct affront to Bhishma’s battlefield eminence.