Shloka 23
अध्याय ३१ — द्रोणानीके तुमुलसंग्रामः
The Tumultuous Battle around Droṇa’s Formation
तेनापि विद्ध:ः सहसा दौणिर्भल्लै: शितैस्त्रिभि: । धनुर्ध्वजं च छत्र॑ं च द्विषतः स न्यकृन्तत,उनके द्वारा घायल होकर अभश्वत्थामाने सहसा तीन तीखे भल्लोंद्वारा अपने शत्रु नीलके धनुष, ध्वज तथा छत्रको काट डाला
tenāpi viddhaḥ sahasā dauṇir bhallaiḥ śitais tribhiḥ | dhanur-dhvajaṃ ca chatraṃ ca dviṣataḥ sa nyakṛntata ||
Sañjaya said: Though himself struck by the enemy, Aśvatthāman (the son of Droṇa) instantly retaliated: with three razor-sharp bhalla arrows he cut down his foe Nīla’s bow, his banner, and his parasol—stripping him of both fighting capacity and the visible emblems of royal command amid the chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In battlefield ethics, disabling an opponent’s capacity and symbols of command (bow, banner, parasol) demonstrates tactical mastery and psychological dominance; the verse highlights swift retaliation and the martial priority of neutralizing leadership and morale rather than merely inflicting injury.
After being wounded, Aśvatthāman immediately counters and, using three sharp bhalla arrows, severs his enemy Nīla’s bow, banner, and parasol—depriving him of weapons and the visible marks of authority in the midst of the Drona Parva battle.