Shloka 59
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
तस्याश्चांश्वतुरो हत्वा भीमसेनो महारथ: । सारथिं पातयामास सध्वजं सुपरिष्कृतम्
tasyāścāṃśvaturau hatvā bhīmaseno mahārathaḥ | sārathiṃ pātayāmāsa sadhvajaṃ supariṣkṛtam ||
Sañjaya said: After slaying his opponent’s horsemen, Bhīmasena—the great chariot-warrior—then struck down the charioteer as well, along with the chariot’s banner, though it was splendidly adorned. The verse underscores the relentless logic of battlefield duty: in the press of war, even supporting figures like drivers and the visible symbols of command (the banner) become targets, as victory is pursued through disabling the enemy’s mobility and morale.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse reflects the hard demands of kṣatriya-dharma in war: victory often depends on disabling the enemy’s capacity to fight (cavalry, chariot-driver) and undermining their visible symbols of command and morale (the banner), even when those targets are not the principal warrior.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma first kills the enemy’s horsemen and then brings down the charioteer, also felling the chariot’s banner despite its fine decoration—an action that cripples the opponent’s chariot effectiveness and signals defeat.