Shloka 40
द्रौणिप्रतिज्ञा–नारायणास्त्रवर्णनम्
Drauṇi’s Vow and the Description of the Nārāyaṇāstra
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन ध्वजं च समपातयत् | रथं च तिलशो राजन् व्यधमत् तस्य धन्विन:,राजन्! फिर एक भल्ल्ल मारकर उसने धनुर्थर वीर प्रतिविन्ध्यके सारथि और ध्वजको धराशायी कर दिया तथा रथके भी तिलके समान टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर डाले
sārathiṃ cāsya bhallena dhvajaṃ ca samapātayat | rathaṃ ca tilaśo rājan vyadhamat tasya dhanvinaḥ ||
सञ्जय उवाच—सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन ध्वजं च समपातयत्। रथं च तिलशो राजन् व्यधमत् तस्य धन्विनः।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, skill and intent often target not only the opponent but also the enabling supports—charioteer, banner, and chariot—showing the harsh logic of kṣatriya-conflict where effectiveness can eclipse compassion, raising ethical tension about means and ends in righteous warfare.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a warrior shoots a bhalla-arrow that brings down the enemy’s charioteer and banner, and then smashes the enemy chariot into tiny pieces—describing a decisive disabling of the opponent’s fighting platform (not merely a wound to the fighter).