Shloka 40
द्रौणिप्रतिज्ञा–नारायणास्त्रवर्णनम्
Drauṇi’s Vow and the Description of the Nārāyaṇāstra
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन ध्वजं च समपातयत् | रथं च तिलशो राजन् व्यधमत् तस्य धन्विन:,राजन्! फिर एक भल्ल्ल मारकर उसने धनुर्थर वीर प्रतिविन्ध्यके सारथि और ध्वजको धराशायी कर दिया तथा रथके भी तिलके समान टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर डाले
sārathiṃ cāsya bhallena dhvajaṃ ca samapātayat | rathaṃ ca tilaśo rājan vyadhamat tasya dhanvinaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : D’une seule flèche bhalla, il abattit le cocher de ce guerrier et fit tomber aussi son étendard. Puis, ô Roi, il réduisit en miettes le char de l’archer, en fragments aussi menus que des graines de sésame—image d’une maîtrise impitoyable, visant non seulement le combattant, mais les appuis mêmes de son combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, skill and intent often target not only the opponent but also the enabling supports—charioteer, banner, and chariot—showing the harsh logic of kṣatriya-conflict where effectiveness can eclipse compassion, raising ethical tension about means and ends in righteous warfare.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a warrior shoots a bhalla-arrow that brings down the enemy’s charioteer and banner, and then smashes the enemy chariot into tiny pieces—describing a decisive disabling of the opponent’s fighting platform (not merely a wound to the fighter).