Shloka 55
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
तस्य पार्थो धनुश्कछित्त्वा ध्वजं चोव्यामपातयत् | पजञ्चभिस्तस्य विव्याथ हयान् सूतं च सायकै:,उन्होंने पंचालराजका धनुष काटकर उनकी ध्वजाको भी धरतीपर काट गिराया। फिर पाँच बाणोंसे उनके घोड़ों और सारथिको घायल कर दिया
tasya pārtho dhanuś chittvā dhvajaṃ covyām apātayat | pañcabhiḥ tasya vivyātha hayān sūtaṃ ca sāyakaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Pārtha (Arjuna) cut down his bow and struck down his banner to the ground; and with five arrows he wounded his horses and his charioteer.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores disciplined kṣatriya conduct: victory through mastery and control—neutralizing an opponent’s capacity to fight (bow, banner, chariot-team) rather than rushing to kill—reflecting tactical intelligence and measured force.
Arjuna (Pārtha) disables the Pañcāla king’s chariot-fighting ability by cutting his bow, bringing down his banner, and then wounding the horses and charioteer with five arrows, thereby gaining decisive advantage.