Shloka 35
भीष्म-युधिष्ठिर-संमर्दः
Bhīṣma’s Pressure on Yudhiṣṭhira; Śikhaṇḍī’s Approach; Evening Withdrawal
दुर्मुख: श्रुतकर्माणं विद्ध्वा सप्तभिराशुगै: । ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छेद सारथिं चास्य सप्तभि:,दुर्मुखने श्रुतकर्माको सात शीघ्रगामी बाणोंद्वारा बीधकर एकसे उसका ध्वज काट डाला और सात बाणोंसे उसके सारथिको घायल कर दिया
durmukhaḥ śrutakarmāṇaṃ viddhvā saptabhir āśugaiḥ | dhvajam ekena ciccheda sārathiṃ cāsya saptabhiḥ ||
दुर्मुखः श्रुतकर्माणं विद्ध्वा सप्तभिराशुगैः । ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छेद सारथिं चास्य सप्तभिः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the martial code in war: victory is pursued through skill and strategic disabling of an opponent’s effectiveness (banner as morale/identity, charioteer as mobility), reminding readers how dharma in battle often operates through disciplined technique rather than mere rage.
Sañjaya narrates that Durmukha shoots Śrutakarmā with seven swift arrows, then cuts down his chariot-banner with one arrow, and finally wounds Śrutakarmā’s charioteer with seven arrows, escalating the attack by undermining both symbol and support.