Shloka 40
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
स किड्किणीकजालेन महता चारुदर्शन: । पपात रुचिर: संख्ये भीमसेनस्थ पश्यत:,वह देखनेमें मनोहर और सुन्दर ध्वज भीमसेनके देखते-देखते छोटी-छोटी घंटियोंके महान् समूहके साथ युद्धस्थलमें गिर पड़ा
sa kiṅkiṇīkajālena mahatā cārudarśanaḥ | papāta ruciraḥ saṅkhye bhīmasenastha paśyataḥ ||
സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—കാണാൻ മനോഹരമായ ആ ഭംഗിയുള്ള ധ്വജം, ചെറുചെറു മണികളുടെ മഹാജാലത്തോടുകൂടി, ഭീമസേനൻ നോക്കിനിൽക്കേ തന്നെ യുദ്ധഭൂമിയിൽ വീണു.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores impermanence and the swift reversal of fortune in war: even the most splendid symbols of power (a banner with ringing bells) can fall in an instant. Ethically, it reminds the listener that external marks of glory are fragile, and that victory and defeat unfold under forces beyond mere display—calling for humility and steadiness in dharma amid violence.
Sañjaya reports that a beautiful battle-standard, adorned with a large cluster of small bells, collapses onto the battlefield while Bhīma watches. The falling of the banner functions as a vivid battlefield event and a sign-like moment within the larger combat narrative of the Śalya Parva.