Shloka 28
Bhagadattā’s Deployment Against Ghaṭotkaca; Elephant-Corps Escalation
आदित्यकेतो: केतुं च छित्त्वा बाणेन संयुगे । भल्लेन भृशतीक्ष्णेन शिरश्रिच्छेद भारत,भारत! तदनन्तर भीमने रणक्षेत्रमें एक बाणसे आदित्यकेतुकी ध्वजा काटकर अत्यन्त तीखे भल्लके द्वारा उसका मस्तक भी काट दिया
ādityaketoḥ ketuṃ ca chittvā bāṇena saṃyuge | bhallena bhṛśatīkṣṇena śiraś ciccheda bhārata ||
サンジャヤは言った。バーラタよ、戦のただ中で、ビーマはまず一本の矢でアーディティヤケートゥの旗印を断ち切り、ついで剃刀のごとく鋭いバッラ（bhalla）でその首を斬り落とした。この詩句は、クシャトリヤの戦がもつ陰鬱な断乎たる決断を示す。義務の要請のもと、迅速で致命的な一撃によって武勇と意志が示されるのである。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya-dharma in war: duty is carried out through decisive action, and martial excellence is shown in the ability to disable an opponent’s symbol of command (the banner) and then neutralize the foe. Ethically, it reflects the epic’s tension between necessary duty in battle and the tragic cost of violence.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīma, during the battle, first cuts down Ādityaketu’s banner with an arrow and then beheads Ādityaketu with a very sharp bhalla, marking a swift and lethal victory in that encounter.