Shloka 39
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
दुर्योधनस्तु भीमस्य शरेणानतपर्वणा । चिच्छेदादिश्य संग्रामे ध्वजं हेमपरिष्कृतम्,दुर्योधनने घोषणा करके झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणसे संग्राममें भीमसेनके सुवर्णभूषित ध्वजको काट डाला
duryodhanas tu bhīmasya śareṇānataparvaṇā | cicchedādiśya saṅgrāme dhvajaṃ hemapariṣkṛtam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Di tengah hiruk-pikuk pertempuran, Duryodhana membidik Bhīma dan dengan anak panah berduri yang beruas melengkung menebas panji Bhīmasena yang berhias emas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare targets not only bodies but symbols: striking a warrior’s standard is a psychological and honor-based blow, reflecting the battlefield reality that morale and reputation can be attacked through emblems and public signs of prowess.
Sañjaya narrates that Duryodhana, taking aim at Bhīma, shoots a barbed arrow that cuts down Bhīma’s gold-adorned banner in the midst of combat.