Shloka 563
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
प्रमुखे वर्तमानस्य भल्लेनापाहरद् रथात् । कुन्तीपुत्र युधिष्ठिरने समरांगणमें सामने खड़े हुए शल्यकी ध्वजाके अग्रभागको एक भल्लके द्वारा रथसे काट गिराया
pramukhe vartamānasya bhallena apāharad rathāt |
Sañjaya berkata: Ketika Śalya berdiri di barisan paling hadapan, Yudhiṣṭhira—putera Kuntī—memukul dengan anak panah bhalla yang tajam lalu memotong puncak hadapan panji Śalya, menjatuhkannya dari kereta. Dalam jalinan moral perang, perbuatan itu bukan sekadar serangan, tetapi tindakan strategik meruntuhkan kebanggaan yang tampak dan tanda himpunan lawan—mengingatkan bahawa lambang kuasa pun rapuh seperti tubuh di medan yang dipertikaikan dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a dharma-framed war, victory often turns on dismantling the opponent’s supports—especially visible emblems of authority and morale. The fall of a banner signifies the fragility of pride and the impermanence of worldly signs of dominance.
Sañjaya narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira, facing Śalya in battle, shoots a bhalla-arrow that cuts down the forward part of Śalya’s banner from his chariot, causing it to fall.