Shloka 39
कर्णपर्व — चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः
Arjuna’s Suppression of the Saṃśaptakas; Kṛṣṇa’s Strategic Admonition; Battlefield Inventory
तावन्योन्यं ध्वजं विद्ध्वा सारथिं च महारणे | अन्योन्यस्य हयान् विद्ध्वा बिभिदाते परस्परम्,वे उस महासमरमें परस्परके ध्वज, सारथि और घोड़ोंको बींधकर एक-दूसरेको क्षत- विक्षत कर रहे थे
tāv anyonyaṁ dhvajaṁ viddhvā sārathiṁ ca mahāraṇe | anyonyasya hayān viddhvā bibhidāte parasparam ||
Sañjaya sprach: In jener großen Schlacht durchbohrten sie einander die Feldzeichen und trafen die Wagenlenker wie auch die Pferde des Gegners, und sie verwundeten sich unablässig. Jeder war darauf aus, dem anderen die Mittel zum Kampf zu zerschlagen, ohne auch nur einen Zoll nachzugeben.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare can devolve into reciprocal destruction: instead of restraining force within righteous limits, combatants may target the very supports of life and action (driver, horses, standard). It implicitly warns that when the aim becomes mere victory, ethical boundaries in battle are easily crossed.
Sanjaya describes two opposing warriors in a fierce chariot-fight. They strike each other’s banners, wound or kill charioteers, and pierce the horses—damaging the opponent’s mobility and command—while continuing to injure one another in the midst of the great battle.