Shloka 57
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
छिन्नध्वजधनुश्छत्र: सहदेवेन सौबल: । कृतो विद्धश्न बहुभि: सर्वमर्मसु सायकै:,सहदेवने शकुनिके ध्वज, छत्र और धनुषको काट देनेके पश्चात् उसके सम्पूर्ण मर्मस्थानोंमें बाणोंद्वारा गहरी चोट पहुँचायी
sañjaya uvāca |
chinnadhvajadhanuśchatraḥ sahadevena saubalaḥ |
kṛto viddhaś ca bahubhiḥ sarvamarmasu sāyakaiḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Shakuni, the son of Subala, had his banner, bow, and parasol cut down by Sahadeva; and then Sahadeva pierced him with many arrows, striking deep at all his vital points. The scene underscores the relentless precision of battlefield duty, where martial skill is exercised without hesitation against a formidable and culpable adversary.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its stark form: in a righteous war, a warrior must act decisively against an opponent who embodies harmful counsel and adharma. Ethical weight is conveyed through the focus on disabling symbols of power (banner, parasol) and then neutralizing the threat with precise force.
Sanjaya reports that Sahadeva overwhelms Shakuni: he cuts down Shakuni’s banner, bow, and royal parasol, and then shoots him repeatedly, striking his vital points with many arrows.