Shloka 40
द्रौणिप्रतिज्ञा–नारायणास्त्रवर्णनम्
Drauṇi’s Vow and the Description of the Nārāyaṇāstra
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन ध्वजं च समपातयत् | रथं च तिलशो राजन् व्यधमत् तस्य धन्विन:,राजन्! फिर एक भल्ल्ल मारकर उसने धनुर्थर वीर प्रतिविन्ध्यके सारथि और ध्वजको धराशायी कर दिया तथा रथके भी तिलके समान टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर डाले
sārathiṃ cāsya bhallena dhvajaṃ ca samapātayat | rathaṃ ca tilaśo rājan vyadhamat tasya dhanvinaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: With a single bhalla-arrow he struck down that warrior’s charioteer and also felled his banner. Then, O King, he shattered the archer’s chariot itself into fragments as small as sesame seeds—an image of ruthless battlefield skill where prowess aims not only at the fighter but at the very supports of his combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, skill and intent often target not only the opponent but also the enabling supports—charioteer, banner, and chariot—showing the harsh logic of kṣatriya-conflict where effectiveness can eclipse compassion, raising ethical tension about means and ends in righteous warfare.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a warrior shoots a bhalla-arrow that brings down the enemy’s charioteer and banner, and then smashes the enemy chariot into tiny pieces—describing a decisive disabling of the opponent’s fighting platform (not merely a wound to the fighter).