Shloka 57
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
पाण्डुपुत्रेण वै तस्य केतुं छिन्न॑ महात्मना
pāṇḍuputreṇa vai tasya ketuṃ chinnaṃ mahātmanā
Dijo Sañjaya: Aquel noble hijo de Pāṇḍu, en verdad, cercenó su estandarte—un acto que, en medio de la batalla, señaló tanto maestría táctica como firmeza moral: quebrar el orgullo del enemigo sin apartarse del deber del guerrero.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a dharmic war narrative, striking the enemy’s standard symbolizes undermining arrogance and morale while still acting within a warrior’s duty—courage joined with disciplined purpose rather than cruelty.
Sañjaya reports that a Pāṇḍava hero severs the opponent’s banner (ketu), a battlefield moment indicating dominance and a turning of momentum against the enemy.