Shloka 57

पाण्डुपुत्रेण वै तस्य केतुं छिन्न॑ महात्मना

pāṇḍuputreṇa vai tasya ketuṃ chinnaṃ mahātmanā

संजय म्हणाला—महात्मा पांडुपुत्राने त्याचा केतू (ध्वज) छिन्न केला.

पाण्डु-पुत्रेणby the son of Pāṇḍu
पाण्डु-पुत्रेण:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootपाण्डुपुत्र
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
वैindeed / surely
वै:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootवै
तस्यof him / his
तस्य:
Sambandha
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
केतुम्banner / standard
केतुम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकेतु
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
छिन्नम्cut off / severed
छिन्नम्:
TypeVerb
Rootछिद्
Formक्त (past passive participle), Masculine, Accusative, Singular
महात्मनाby the great-souled (one)
महात्मना:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootमहात्मन्
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular

संजय उवाच

संजय (Sañjaya)
पाण्डुपुत्र (a son of Pāṇḍu; a Pāṇḍava)
केतु (banner/standard)

Educational Q&A

In a dharmic war narrative, striking the enemy’s standard symbolizes undermining arrogance and morale while still acting within a warrior’s duty—courage joined with disciplined purpose rather than cruelty.

Sañjaya reports that a Pāṇḍava hero severs the opponent’s banner (ketu), a battlefield moment indicating dominance and a turning of momentum against the enemy.