Shloka 58
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
केतुं निपतितं दृष्टवा भीष्मस्य तनयास्तव
ketuṁ nipatitaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhīṣmasya tanayās tava
Sañjaya berkata: “Melihat panji Bhīṣma jatuh, putera-putera tuanku—yang berpihak kepada Bhīṣma—terkejut oleh alamat buruk itu.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the Mahabharata’s war narrative, external signs like a fallen banner reflect inner states—morale, cohesion, and the stability of leadership. The ethical undertone is that dharma in battle requires steadiness and responsibility; when symbols of command falter, the warriors’ confidence and conduct are tested.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that, upon seeing a banner/standard fallen (associated with Bhishma’s side), Dhritarashtra’s sons react to this ominous development, suggesting a shift in the battle’s momentum and the psychological impact on the Kaurava forces.