Shloka 45
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
प्रजानाथ! तदनन्तर पिताको आनन्द देनेवाला उलूक उस रथसे कूदकर तुरंत ही त्रिगर्तोकी सेनामें चला गया ।।
sañjaya uvāca | sātyakiḥ śakuniṃ viddhvā viṃśatyā niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | dhvajaṃ ciccheda bhallena saubalasya hasann iva ||
Sañjaya dit : Ensuite Ulūka, celui qui faisait la joie de son père, sauta de ce char et se rendit aussitôt dans l’armée des Trigartas. Quant à Sātyaki, il frappa Śakuni de vingt flèches acérées; puis, comme s’il souriait d’une assurance dédaigneuse, il trancha d’un trait à large pointe l’étendard de Saubala (Śakuni) — geste destiné non seulement à blesser le corps, mais à briser le courage et à proclamer la supériorité au cœur du tumulte guerrier.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, victory is pursued not only through physical harm but also through symbolic and psychological means; severing an enemy’s banner attacks honor and morale, showing how power operates through signs as well as force—raising ethical reflection on pride, intimidation, and the conduct of kṣatriya battle.
Sanjaya narrates that Satyaki wounds Shakuni with twenty sharp arrows and then cuts down Shakuni’s banner with a bhalla, as if smiling—signaling dominance and attempting to demoralize the opposing side.