Shloka 21
दुर्योधन-कर्ण-संवादः
Duryodhana–Karna Dialogue on Vyūha-bheda and Daiva
द्रोणाचार्यने महारथी बृहत्क्षत्रको व्याकुल करके अपने चार बाणोंद्वारा उनके चारों घोड़ोंको मार डाला ।। सूतं चैकेन बाणेन रथनीडादपातयत् । द्वाभ्यां ध्वजं च च्छत्र॑ च च्छित्वा भूमावपातयत्,फिर एक बाणसे मारकर सारथिको रथकी बैठकसे नीचे गिरा दिया और दो बाणोंसे उनके ध्वज और छत्रको भी पृथ्वीपर काट गिराया
sūtaṁ caikena bāṇena rathanīḍād apātayat | dvābhyāṁ dhvajaṁ ca chatraṁ ca chittvā bhūmāv apātayat ||
Sañjaya said: Droṇācārya threw the great chariot-warrior Bṛhatkṣatra into confusion and with four arrows slew his four horses. Then with a single arrow he struck down the charioteer from the chariot-seat; and with two more arrows he severed the banner and the royal parasol, casting them to the ground.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in epic warfare, power is not only physical but symbolic: removing the charioteer, banner, and parasol undermines an enemy’s command, prestige, and morale. It also reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring theme that mastery in war often targets both body and status-signs, raising ethical questions about humiliation versus legitimate tactical advantage.
Sañjaya narrates Droṇa’s swift archery: he knocks the charioteer down from the chariot-seat with one arrow and then cuts down the opponent’s banner and royal parasol with two arrows, making them fall to the earth—an emphatic battlefield domination.