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Shloka 33

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 125: Duryodhana’s despair and vow after Jayadratha’s fall (जयद्रथवधे दुर्योधनविलापः)

ध्वजं च रथशक्ति च भल्लाभ्यां परमास्त्रवित्‌ | चिच्छेद विशिखैस्ती क्ष्णस्तथो भौ पार्ष्णिसारथी,तदनन्तर महान्‌ अस्त्रवेत्ता सात्यकिने एक भल्लसे दुःशासनका धनुष, पाँचसे उसके दस्ताने तथा दो भल्लोंसे उसकी ध्वजा एवं रथशक्तिके भी टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर दिये। इतना ही नहीं, उन्होंने तीखे बाणोंद्वारा उसके दोनों पारश्वचरक्षकोंको भी मार डाला

dhvajaṃ ca rathaśaktiṃ ca bhallābhyāṃ paramāstravit | ciccheda viśikhaiḥ tīkṣṇas tathobhau pārṣṇisārathī ||

サンジャヤは言った。「至高の飛び道具の達人は、二本のバッラ矢で旗印とラタ・シャクティ(車上から用いるために備えた槍)を断ち切った。さらに鋭い矢で、戦車の左右を守る二人の脇護衛をも斬り伏せた。」

ध्वजम्banner/standard
ध्वजम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootध्वज
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
रथशक्तिम्chariot-spear (a spear kept on the chariot)
रथशक्तिम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootरथशक्ति
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
भल्लाभ्याम्with two bhalla-arrows (broad-headed shafts)
भल्लाभ्याम्:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootभल्ल
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Dual
परमास्त्रवित्knower of the highest weapons
परमास्त्रवित्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपरमास्त्रवित्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
चिच्छेदcut asunder
चिच्छेद:
TypeVerb
Rootछिद्
FormPerfect, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada
विशिखैःwith arrows
विशिखैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootविशिख
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
तीक्ष्णःsharp/fierce (one)
तीक्ष्णः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootतीक्ष्ण
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
तथाalso/likewise
तथा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतथा
उभौboth
उभौ:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootउभ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Dual
पार्ष्णिसारथीthe charioteer of Pārṣṇi (i.e., Sātyaki’s charioteer)
पार्ष्णिसारथी:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपार्ष्णिसारथि
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
D
dhvaja (banner/standard)
R
rathaśakti (chariot-spear/javelin)
B
bhalla (broad-headed arrow)
V
viśikha (arrow/shaft)
P
pārṣṇisārathī (flank-guards/chariot-attendants)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how warfare targets not only bodies but also symbols and supports—banner, weapons, and guards—showing the strategic dismantling of an opponent’s strength. Ethically, it reflects the grim tension within kṣatriya-dharma: duty-bound combat executed with skill, yet carrying heavy human and moral cost.

Sañjaya describes a master archer who, using two broad-headed arrows, cuts down the enemy’s banner and the chariot-spear, and then with sharp arrows kills the two flank-guards/chariot-protectors, thereby crippling the opponent’s chariot unit.