Shloka 35
Arjuna’s Advance toward Bhīṣma; The Gāṇḍīva’s Signal and the Armies’ Convergence (भीष्माभिमुखगमनम् — गाण्डीवनिर्घोष-ध्वजवर्णनम्)
पातयामास भल्लेन कुण्डलाभ्यां विभूषितम् | तदनन्तर सुषेणको मारकर मौतके घर भेज दिया और उग्रके कुण्डलमण्डित चन्द्रोपम मस्तकको एक भल््लके द्वारा शिरस्त्राणसहित काटकर पृथ्वीपर गिरा दिया || ३४ ह ।।
pātayāmāsa bhallena kuṇḍalābhyāṃ vibhūṣitam | vīrabāhuṃ ca saptatyā sāśvaketuṃ sasārathim ||
Санджая сказал: Острым стрелой-бхаллой он сразил воина, украшенного парой серёг. Он также поверг Вирабаху — вместе со знаменем, конями и возничим, — показывая, как в ярости битвы ратное мастерство способно вмиг отсечь опоры гордыни и силы бойца.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: worldly adornments and supports (banner, horses, charioteer) do not protect one from sudden reversal; power is contingent and impermanent amid adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports a battlefield feat: a warrior is struck down by a bhalla-arrow despite being ornamented with earrings, and Vīrabāhu is also felled along with his chariot’s key supports—standard, horses, and charioteer.