Shloka 4
Chapter 30: Formation Disruption, Competing War-Cries, and Nīla’s Fall
Droṇa-parva
वृषकस्य हयान् सूतं धनुश्छत्र॑ रथं ध्वजम् । तिलशो व्यधमत् पार्थ: सौबलस्य शितै: शरै:,तब कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनने अपने तीखे बाणोंद्वारा सुबलपुत्र वृषकके घोड़ों, सारथि, रथ, धनुष, छत्र और ध्वजाको तिल-तिल करके काट डाला
sañjaya uvāca |
vṛṣakasya hayān sūtaṃ dhanuś chatraṃ rathaṃ dhvajaṃ |
tilāśo vyadhamat pārthaḥ saubalasya śitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors Pārtha (Arjuna), de ses flèches tranchantes comme des rasoirs, mit en pièces—morceau par morceau—les chevaux, le cocher, le char, l’arc, l’ombrelle et la bannière de Vṛṣaka, fils de Saubala.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of kṣatriya-dharma in a righteous war: victory often comes by disabling the opponent’s mobility, weapons, and symbols of command. It also reflects the ethical tension of sanctioned violence—skill and decisiveness are praised, yet the destruction is portrayed as severe and consequential.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna attacks Vṛṣaka (of Saubala’s side) and systematically destroys the key components of his chariot unit—horses, charioteer, chariot, bow, parasol, and banner—rendering him effectively neutralized on the battlefield.