Shloka 363
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
ध्वजयष्टिं च सहसा शिश्रिये कश्मलावृतः । राजन! उस बाणसे आहत हो शिखण्डी तत्काल मूर्च्छिंत हो गया। उसने सहसा मोहाच्छन्न होकर ध्वजदण्डका सहारा ले लिया
dhvajayaṣṭiṃ ca sahasā śiśriye kaśmalāvṛtaḥ |
Sañjaya said: Overcome by confusion and distress, he suddenly leaned upon the flagstaff for support. Struck by that arrow, Śikhaṇḍī at once fainted, and, his mind clouded by delusion, clutched the standard-pole to steady himself—showing how even seasoned warriors can be shaken when fate and violence converge on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the vulnerability of the human mind under extreme violence: even a warrior can be overtaken by kaśmala (confusion and distress). It implicitly cautions that courage and clarity are not merely physical but mental, and that war tests inner steadiness as much as martial skill.
In the midst of battle, after being struck by an arrow (as indicated by the accompanying narrative), Śikhaṇḍī becomes faint and mentally clouded. He suddenly leans on the flagstaff for support, and Sañjaya reports this moment to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.