Shloka 45
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
प्रजानाथ! तदनन्तर पिताको आनन्द देनेवाला उलूक उस रथसे कूदकर तुरंत ही त्रिगर्तोकी सेनामें चला गया ।। सात्यकि: शकुनिं विद्ध्वा विंशत्या निशितै: शरै: । ध्वजं चिच्छेद भल्लेन सौबलस्य हसन्निव,सात्यकिने बीस पैने बाणोंसे शकुनिको घायल करके हँसते हुए-से एक भल्लद्वारा सुबलपुत्रके ध्वजको भी काट दिया
sañjaya uvāca | sātyakiḥ śakuniṃ viddhvā viṃśatyā niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | dhvajaṃ ciccheda bhallena saubalasya hasann iva ||
शकुनिं विद्ध्वा विंशत्या निशितैः शरैः । ध्वजं चिच्छेद भल्लेन सौबलस्य हसन्निव ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, victory is pursued not only through physical harm but also through symbolic and psychological means; severing an enemy’s banner attacks honor and morale, showing how power operates through signs as well as force—raising ethical reflection on pride, intimidation, and the conduct of kṣatriya battle.
Sanjaya narrates that Satyaki wounds Shakuni with twenty sharp arrows and then cuts down Shakuni’s banner with a bhalla, as if smiling—signaling dominance and attempting to demoralize the opposing side.