Shloka 39
दुर्योधनस्तु भीमस्य शरेणानतपर्वणा । चिच्छेदादिश्य संग्रामे ध्वजं हेमपरिष्कृतम्,दुर्योधनने घोषणा करके झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणसे संग्राममें भीमसेनके सुवर्णभूषित ध्वजको काट डाला
duryodhanas tu bhīmasya śareṇānataparvaṇā | cicchedādiśya saṅgrāme dhvajaṃ hemapariṣkṛtam ||
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, Duryodhana, aiming at Bhīma, severed with a barbed arrow Bhīmasena’s standard, richly adorned with gold. The act signals not only a tactical strike but a symbolic attempt to break an opponent’s pride and morale by striking his emblem rather than his body.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare targets not only bodies but symbols: striking a warrior’s standard is a psychological and honor-based blow, reflecting the battlefield reality that morale and reputation can be attacked through emblems and public signs of prowess.
Sañjaya narrates that Duryodhana, taking aim at Bhīma, shoots a barbed arrow that cuts down Bhīma’s gold-adorned banner in the midst of combat.