Shloka 7
Irāvān-nidhana-anantaraṃ Ghaṭotkaca-nādaḥ
After Irāvān’s fall: Ghaṭotkaca’s roar and the clash with Duryodhana
केतुं विपतितं दृष्टवा श्रुतायु: स तु पार्थिव: । पाण्डवं विशिखैस्तीक्ष्ण राजन् विव्याध सप्तभि:,राजन! ध्वजको गिरा हुआ देख राजा श्रुतायुने अपने सात तीखे बाणोंद्वारा पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठिरको घायल कर दिया
ketuṁ vipatitaṁ dṛṣṭvā śrutāyuḥ sa tu pārthivaḥ | pāṇḍavaṁ viśikhaiḥ tīkṣṇaiḥ rājan vivyādha saptabhiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the fallen banner, King Śrutāyu—seeking to press his advantage in the chaos of battle—pierced the Pāṇḍava (Yudhiṣṭhira) with seven sharp arrows, O King. The moment underscores how, in war, visible signs of weakening (like a toppled standard) are swiftly exploited, even against a ruler known for dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield reality that symbols of strength—like a standing banner—carry psychological and tactical weight; when such a sign falls, opponents immediately exploit the perceived vulnerability. Ethically, it contrasts Yudhiṣṭhira’s dharmic stature with the impersonal momentum of war, where even the righteous are targeted without pause.
During the battle, Śrutāyu notices that the Pāṇḍava’s banner has fallen. Taking this as an opening, he shoots and wounds Yudhiṣṭhira with seven sharp arrows, as Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.