Shloka 13
अर्जुन–उलूपीसंवादः
Arjuna and Ulūpī: Explanation of Śānti and the Maṇipūra Resolution
ध्वजे पताकादण्डेषु रथे यन्त्रे हयेषु च । अन्येषु च रथाज्रेषु न शरीरे न सारथौ,उन्होंने मेघसन्धिकी ध्वजा, पताका, दण्ड, रथ, यन्त्र, अश्व तथा अन्य रथांगोंपर बाण मारे; परंतु उसके शरीर और सारथिपर प्रहार नहीं किया
dhvaje patākādaṇḍeṣu rathe yantre hayeṣu ca | anyeṣu ca rathāṅgeṣu na śarīre na sārathau ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Ele atirou flechas contra as insígnias e os apetrechos do carro—estandarte, flâmulas, haste, armação, mecanismos, cavalos e outras partes—mas não atingiu o corpo do guerreiro nem o cocheiro.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, prowess is ideally governed by dharma: one may demonstrate superiority by disabling equipment and issuing a controlled warning, avoiding unnecessary injury—especially to non-combatant roles like the charioteer—when the narrative context permits restraint.
An archer targets the opponent’s chariot insignia and components—banner, flags, pole, mechanisms, horses, and other fittings—yet intentionally avoids hitting the warrior’s body and the charioteer, signaling both mastery of aim and a choice to limit harm.