Shloka 22
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 109 — Karṇa–Bhīma Yuddha and Durmukha’s Fall (कर्णभीमयुद्धम्; दुर्मुखवधः)
दुर्मुबस्य तु भल्लेन छित्त्वा केतुं महाबल: । जघान चतुरो वाहांश्षतुर्भिनिशितै: शरै:,तब महाबली सहदेवने एक भल्लसे दुर्मुखकी ध्वजा काटकर चार तीखे बाणोंद्वारा उसके चारों घोड़ोंको मार डाला
durmukhasya tu bhallena chittvā ketuṃ mahābalaḥ | jaghāna caturo vāhāṃś caturbhi niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian pahlawan yang perkasa itu, dengan sebatang anak panah bermata lebar, memutuskan panji Durmukha; dan dengan empat anak panah tajam, dia menewaskan keempat-empat kuda keretanya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic where disabling an opponent’s chariot—by cutting the banner (morale/identity) and killing the horses (mobility)—is a decisive tactical act. It also reflects the grim momentum of war: prowess is measured by effectiveness, even as violence intensifies.
Sañjaya reports that a mighty warrior strikes Durmukha: first he severs Durmukha’s chariot-banner with a bhalla arrow, then with four sharp arrows kills the four horses, effectively immobilizing Durmukha’s chariot in the ongoing battle.