Shloka 24
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
पुत्रस्तु तव दुर्धर्षो नकुलस्य महाहवे । तुरज्गांश्विच्छिदे बाणैर्ध्वजं चैवाभ्यपातयत्,इसके बाद आपके दुर्धर्ष पुत्रने उस महायुद्धमें नकुलके घोड़ोंको अपने सायकोंद्वारा काट डाला और ध्वजको भी नीचे गिरा दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
putras tu tava durdharṣo nakulasya mahāhave |
turaṅgān śv icchide bāṇair dhvajaṃ caivābhyapātayat ||
సంజయుడు పలికెను—అప్పుడు నీ దుర్ధర్ష కుమారుడు ఆ మహాయుద్ధంలో నకులుని అశ్వాలను బాణాలతో ఛేదించి, అతని ధ్వజమును కూడా కూల్చివేశాడు।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights martial prowess and battlefield strategy: crippling an opponent by cutting down the horses and toppling the banner. Ethically, it reflects the Kṣatriya ideal of winning through direct skill and force in open combat, where symbols (dhvaja) and mobility (horses) carry both practical and psychological weight.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s formidable son (understood as Duryodhana) attacks Nakula in the great battle, shoots arrows that sever Nakula’s horses, and knocks down Nakula’s banner, thereby disabling his chariot’s movement and diminishing his battlefield presence.