Shloka 11
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
ततश्छत्र॑ ध्वजं चैव छित्त्वा राज्ञो3र्जुन: शरै: । विव्याध दशभिस्तूर्णमुत्स्मयन् पर्वतेश्वरम्,तदनन्तर अर्जुनने अपने बाणोंद्वारा राजा भगदत्तके छत्र और ध्वजको काटकर मुसकराते हुए दस बाणोंद्वारा तुरंत ही उन पर्वतेश्वरको बींध डाला
tataś chatra-dhvajaṁ caiva chittvā rājño 'rjunaḥ śaraiḥ | vivyādha daśabhis tūrṇam utsmayan parvateśvaram ||
Sañjaya said: Then Arjuna, with his arrows, cut down the king’s parasol and banner; and, smiling, he swiftly pierced that lord of the mountains (Bhagadatta) with ten arrows. The act signals not mere cruelty but a warrior’s calibrated dominance—first stripping the enemy’s royal insignia and morale, then disabling him with controlled, measured force in the disciplined ethics of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Within kṣatriya-dharma, victory is pursued through disciplined, proportionate force: Arjuna first removes symbols of sovereignty (parasol and banner) to break the opponent’s standing and morale, then strikes decisively—showing controlled prowess rather than uncontrolled rage.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna confronting King Bhagadatta: Arjuna severs Bhagadatta’s royal parasol and standard with arrows, then, smiling in confidence, quickly pierces him with ten arrows.