Shloka 33
Śalya–Bhīma Gadāyuddham (मद्रराज-भीमसेन गदायुद्धम्)
धृष्टकेतु: कृपेणास्तान् छित्त्वा बहुविधाउ्छरान् । कृप॑ विव्याध सप्तत्या लक्ष्म चास्याहरत् त्रिभि:,धृष्टकेतुने कृपाचार्यके चलाये हुए अनेक बाणोंको काटकर उन्हें सत्तर बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया और तीन बाणोंद्वारा उनके चिह्नस्वरूप ध्वजको भी काट गिराया
dhṛṣṭaketuḥ kṛpeṇāstān chittvā bahuvidhāñ śarān | kṛpaṃ vivyādha saptatyā lakṣma cāsyāharat tribhiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Dhṛṣṭaketu, having cut down those many kinds of arrows shot by Kṛpa, then pierced Kṛpa with seventy shafts; and with three more arrows he struck down Kṛpa’s distinguishing emblem—his banner—thus publicly marking his momentary loss of advantage in the battle’s contest of skill and resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya code in battle: mastery over weapons, swift counteraction, and the symbolic importance of honor-markers like a banner. Victory is shown not only by wounding an opponent but also by striking his emblem, which publicly signals a shift in momentum.
Dhṛṣṭaketu intercepts and cuts the many arrows released by Kṛpa, then retaliates by wounding Kṛpa with seventy arrows and finally fells Kṛpa’s banner with three more, demonstrating superior timing and battlefield dominance in that exchange.