Shloka 39
कर्णपर्व — चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः
Arjuna’s Suppression of the Saṃśaptakas; Kṛṣṇa’s Strategic Admonition; Battlefield Inventory
तावन्योन्यं ध्वजं विद्ध्वा सारथिं च महारणे | अन्योन्यस्य हयान् विद्ध्वा बिभिदाते परस्परम्,वे उस महासमरमें परस्परके ध्वज, सारथि और घोड़ोंको बींधकर एक-दूसरेको क्षत- विक्षत कर रहे थे
tāv anyonyaṁ dhvajaṁ viddhvā sārathiṁ ca mahāraṇe | anyonyasya hayān viddhvā bibhidāte parasparam ||
Sanjaya said: In that great battle, having pierced each other’s standards and charioteers, and striking down one another’s horses, the two warriors tore at each other relentlessly—each intent on crippling the other’s means of fighting rather than yielding an inch. The scene underscores how, once dharma is eclipsed by victory-lust, even the supports of combat—banner, driver, and steeds—become deliberate targets in a ruthless contest of survival.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare can devolve into reciprocal destruction: instead of restraining force within righteous limits, combatants may target the very supports of life and action (driver, horses, standard). It implicitly warns that when the aim becomes mere victory, ethical boundaries in battle are easily crossed.
Sanjaya describes two opposing warriors in a fierce chariot-fight. They strike each other’s banners, wound or kill charioteers, and pierce the horses—damaging the opponent’s mobility and command—while continuing to injure one another in the midst of the great battle.