Shloka 15
तत: कोसलराजासावभिमन्योर्विशाम्पते । ध्वजं चिच्छेद समरे सारथिं च न्यपातयत्,अभिमन्युने महान् धनुर्धर बृहदबलके साथ युद्ध किया। प्रजानाथ! कोसलनरेश बृहदबलने उस युद्धमें अभिमन्युके ध्वजको काट दिया और सारथिको मार गिराया
tataḥ kosalarājāsāv abhimanyor viśāmpate | dhvajaṃ ciccheda samare sārathiṃ ca nyapātayat ||
అప్పుడు, ఓ ప్రజానాథా! కోసలరాజు సమరంలో అభిమన్యుని ధ్వజాన్ని కోసివేసి, అతని సారథిని నేలకూల్చెను.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare often targets not only the warrior but also the supports and symbols that sustain him—banner and charioteer—revealing the harsh, strategic nature of kṣatriya combat and the ethical strain such tactics place on all participants.
Sañjaya reports that the king of Kosala (identified in the tradition as Bṛhadbala) engages Abhimanyu and, during the fight, cuts down Abhimanyu’s chariot-banner and brings down his charioteer, thereby weakening Abhimanyu’s immediate battle position.