Shloka 53

Devanagari script

साश्वसूतध्वजं यान॑ द्रोणस्यापोथयत्‌ तदा

Transliteration

sāśvasūtadhvajaṃ yānaṃ droṇasyāpothayat tadā

Translation

Sañjaya said: At that moment, he struck down Droṇa’s chariot—complete with its horses, charioteer, and banner—intensifying the ruthless momentum of the battle where even the emblems of a great teacher’s command were being violently undone.

Word by Word

• साश्वसूतध्वजम्: the chariot with horses, charioteer, and banner
• साश्वसूतध्वजम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: साश्वसूतध्वज
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• यानम्: vehicle; chariot
• यानम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: यान
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• द्रोणस्य: of Droṇa
• द्रोणस्य: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• अपोथयत्: struck down; overthrew; shattered
• अपोथयत्: Kriya
• Type: Verb
• Root: अप + उथ् (पोथयति)
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• तदा: then; at that time
• तदा: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Droṇa
• Droṇa’s chariot
• horses
• charioteer (sūta)
• banner/standard (dhvaja)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how war dismantles even revered authority: a great teacher’s martial insignia—chariot, horses, charioteer, and banner—can be brought down in an instant. It invites reflection on the ethical cost of conflict and the fragility of worldly status amid adharma-driven violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Droṇa’s chariot is struck down, including its horses, charioteer, and standard. The image signals a decisive blow against Droṇa’s battlefield position and the disruption of his command presence during the fighting.