Shloka 8
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
ध्वजमुन्मथितं दृष्ट्वा युयुत्सु: क्रो धमूर्च्छित: । उलूक॑ पञ्चभिर्बाणैराजघान स्तनान्तरे,अपने ध्वजका यह विध्वंस देखकर युयुत्सु क्रोधसे मूर्च्छित-सा हो गया और उसने पाँच बाणोंसे उलूककी छाती छेद डाली
dhvajam unmathitaṃ dṛṣṭvā yuyutsuḥ krodha-mūrcchitaḥ | ulūkaṃ pañcabhir bāṇair ājaghāna stanāntare ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing his banner shattered, Yuyutsu—overwhelmed as if fainting with rage—struck Ulūka in the chest with five arrows.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how symbols of honor (like a warrior’s banner) can trigger intense anger, and how unchecked wrath quickly turns into violent retaliation—an ethical warning about the mind’s volatility amid war, even when one is acting within a warrior’s role.
In the midst of battle, Yuyutsu sees his banner destroyed. Enraged and overwhelmed, he immediately counterattacks and pierces Ulūka’s chest with five arrows, as reported by Sañjaya.