Shloka 39
फिर उन्होंने सात तीखे बाणोंसे कुन्तीकुमार युधिष्ठिरको घायल कर दिया। अत्यन्त क्रोधमें भरे हुए युधिष्ठिरने भी उन्हें पाँच बाणोंसे बींधकर बदला चुकाया ।। सो5तिविद्धों महाबाहुः सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन् । युधिष्ठटिरस्य चिच्छेद ध्वजं कार्मुकमेव च,तब अत्यन्त घायल हुए महाबाहु द्रोणाचार्य अपने दोनों गलफर चाटने लगे। उन्होंने युधिष्ठिरके ध्वज और धनुषको भी काट दिया। शीघ्रताके समय शीघ्रता करनेवाले नृपश्रेष्ठ युधिष्ठिरने समरांगणमें धनुष कट जानेपर दूसरे सुदृढ़ धनुषको वेगपूर्वक हाथमें ले लिया
so 'tividdho mahābāhuḥ sṛkkīṇī parisaṃlihan | yudhiṣṭhirasya ciccheda dhvajaṃ kārmukam eva ca ||
Sañjaya said: Though pierced again and again, the mighty-armed Droṇa, licking the corners of his mouth in grim resolve, cut down Yudhiṣṭhira’s banner and also his bow. The episode shows how, in the fury of battle, even grievous wounds do not halt a seasoned warrior’s purpose—yet the loss of banner and bow is a pointed humiliation, testing a king’s steadiness and dharma under pressure.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadiness amid adversity: in war, a leader’s dharma is tested not only by wounds but by symbolic losses (banner, bow) meant to break morale. The ethical emphasis is on maintaining composure and resolve without abandoning righteous conduct, even when provoked or humiliated.
Droṇa, though badly wounded, continues fighting fiercely and severs Yudhiṣṭhira’s banner and bow—an aggressive tactical and psychological strike. It sets up Yudhiṣṭhira’s immediate need to re-arm and continue the engagement.