Shloka 35
भीष्म-युधिष्ठिर-संमर्दः
Bhīṣma’s Pressure on Yudhiṣṭhira; Śikhaṇḍī’s Approach; Evening Withdrawal
दुर्मुख: श्रुतकर्माणं विद्ध्वा सप्तभिराशुगै: । ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छेद सारथिं चास्य सप्तभि:
durmukhaḥ śrutakarmāṇaṃ viddhvā saptabhir āśugaiḥ | dhvajam ekena ciccheda sārathiṃ cāsya saptabhiḥ ||
Durmukha menembus Śrutakarmā dengan tujuh anak panah yang melesat cepat; dengan satu batang panah ia menebas panjinya, dan dengan tujuh lagi ia melukai sais keretanya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the martial code in war: victory is pursued through skill and strategic disabling of an opponent’s effectiveness (banner as morale/identity, charioteer as mobility), reminding readers how dharma in battle often operates through disciplined technique rather than mere rage.
Sañjaya narrates that Durmukha shoots Śrutakarmā with seven swift arrows, then cuts down his chariot-banner with one arrow, and finally wounds Śrutakarmā’s charioteer with seven arrows, escalating the attack by undermining both symbol and support.