Shloka 61
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
ततोअ<न््यान् षट् समादाय श्वेतो हेमविभूषितान् । तेषां षण्णां महाबाहुर्ध्वजशीर्षाण्यपातयत्,तब महाबाह श्वेतने दूसरे स्वर्णभूषित छः: बाण लेकर उन छहों रथियोंके ध्वजके अग्रभाग काट गिराये
tato 'nyān ṣaṭ samādāya śveto hemavibhūṣitān | teṣāṃ ṣaṇṇāṃ mahābāhur dhvajaśīrṣāṇy apātayat |
Sañjaya dit : Alors Śveta prit encore six flèches, ornées d’or, et ce guerrier aux bras puissants abattit les ornements au sommet des étendards de ces six combattants sur char.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior ethic where mastery can be shown through symbolic, non-lethal dominance—striking an opponent’s banner-top to break morale and prestige—reflecting the competitive honor-culture within kṣatriya warfare.
Śveta takes six additional gold-ornamented arrows and, with precise shots, cuts down the upper parts of the banners of six opposing chariot-fighters, demonstrating superior archery and asserting battlefield ascendancy.