Shloka 66
तस्याश्चांश्वतुरो हत्वा सूतं चैव विशाम्पते । ध्वजं चिच्छेद भल्लेन त्वरमाण: पराक्रमी
tasyāś cāśvaturān hatvā sūtaṃ caiva viśāmpate | dhvajaṃ ciccheda bhallena tvaramāṇaḥ parākrāmī prajānātha |
संजय बोले— प्रजानाथ! पराक्रमी भीमसेन ने फुर्ती दिखाते हुए उसके चारों घोड़े और सारथि को मार डाला तथा भल्ल नामक बाण से उसका ध्वज भी काट गिराया।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the war-ethic of the Mahabharata, victory often comes through strategic dismantling of an enemy’s means of action. Striking horses, charioteer, and banner is not merely violence but a tactical removal of mobility, control, and morale—showing how prowess (parākrama) is expressed as decisive, goal-oriented action in battle.
Sañjaya reports that the warrior (contextually Bhīmasena) rapidly kills the opponent’s four horses and charioteer and then severs the chariot’s banner with a bhalla-arrow—effectively crippling the opponent’s chariot and publicly diminishing his battlefield standing.