Shloka 17
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
अथापराशभ्यां भल्लाभ्यां शिताभ्यामरिमर्दन: । ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छेद पा्णिमेकेन सारथिम्
athāparāśabhyāṃ bhallābhyāṃ śitābhyām arimardanaḥ | dhvajam ekena ciccheda pāṇim ekena sārathim ||
ఆపై శత్రుదముడు ఆ వీరుడు రెండు పదునైన భల్లబాణాలతో—ఒకదానితో ధ్వజాన్ని కోసివేసి, మరొకదానితో సారథి చేతిని కొట్టి పడవేసెను.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in a dharmic war context, martial excellence is expressed through targeted action: cutting the banner (a symbol of command and morale) and disabling the charioteer (a functional support) to neutralize an opponent. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between heroic skill and the harsh ethical weight of violence.
Sañjaya describes a warrior (called ‘arimardana’) using two sharp arrows: one severs the enemy’s chariot-banner, and the other strikes the charioteer’s arm, impairing the chariot’s control and signaling a tactical advantage in the ongoing battle.