Shloka 41
Śalya–Bhīma Gadāyuddham (मद्रराज-भीमसेन गदायुद्धम्)
भगदत्तस्तु राजानं द्रुप्दं नतपर्वभि: । सनियन्तृध्वजरथं विव्याध पुरुषर्षभ:
bhagadattas tu rājānaṃ drupadaṃ nataparvabhiḥ | sa-niyantṛ-dhvaja-rathaṃ vivyādha puruṣarṣabhaḥ ||
サञ्जャヤは言った。するとバガダッタ――人中の雄牛――は節の下向きに曲がった矢でドルパダ王を射抜き、さらに王の戦車をも、御者と旗印もろとも貫いた。かくして王は戦場のただ中で激しい圧迫を受けた。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the relentless force of kṣatriya warfare: prowess is shown not only by striking the opponent but by disabling the chariot system (driver and banner), emphasizing how martial skill can rapidly shift a battle’s balance and intensify the ethical weight of combat.
Sañjaya reports that Bhagadatta assaults King Drupada, shooting him with distinctive bent-jointed arrows and also piercing Drupada’s chariot—its charioteer and banner—signaling a severe tactical blow against Drupada in the ongoing battle.