Shloka 6
द्रौणिप्रतिज्ञा–नारायणास्त्रवर्णनम्
Drauṇi’s Vow and the Description of the Nārāyaṇāstra
ततोअस्य निशितैर्बाणैर्थ्वजं चिच्छेद नाकुलि: । धनुश्वैव महाराज यतमानस्य संयुगे,महाराज! तदनन्तर नकुलपुत्र शतानीकने युद्धस्थलमें विजयके लिये प्रयत्न करनेवाले चित्रसेनके ध्वज और धनुषको पैने बाणोंद्वारा काट दिया
tato 'sya niśitair bāṇair dhvajaṃ ciccheda nākuliḥ | dhanuś caiva mahārāja yatamānasya saṃyuge ||
Sañjaya said: Then, with sharp arrows, Nakulī cut down his banner and also his bow, O king, as he strove in the thick of battle. This was not mere slaughter, but a tactical crippling—stripping him of emblem and weapon, and turning the contest toward decisive advantage.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior’s tactical restraint and skill: rather than focusing only on killing, the combatant disables the opponent by cutting the banner and bow—removing both morale-symbol (dhvaja) and fighting capacity (dhanuḥ). It reflects the kṣatriya ethos where victory is pursued through prowess and strategy within the battlefield code.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Nakula’s son (Śatānīka, called Nākuli) strikes his opponent in battle with sharp arrows, severing the opponent’s banner and bow while the opponent is actively striving in combat.