अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa
अश्वांश्व चतुरः श्वेतान् निजघान शितै: शरै: । छित्त्वा ध्वजं रथं चैव शतधा पुरुषर्षभ
aśvāṃś ca caturaḥ śvetān nijaghāna śitaiḥ śaraiḥ | chittvā dhvajaṃ rathaṃ caiva śatadhā puruṣarṣabha ||
Dengan anak panah yang tajam ia menumbangkan empat kuda putih; dan, wahai yang terbaik di antara manusia, setelah memotong panji dan bahkan kereta itu menjadi seratus keping, ia terus menekan dengan ketepatan tanpa henti.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the harsh wartime ethic in which strategic disabling of an enemy’s mobility and symbols (horses, banner, chariot) becomes a measure of prowess; it reflects how dharma in battle is framed as disciplined effectiveness, even amid destructive outcomes.
Sañjaya reports a combat moment where a warrior shoots sharp arrows to kill four white horses and then cuts down the opponent’s banner and chariot, splintering them into many pieces, indicating a decisive tactical blow in the chariot-war setting.