Shloka 6
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
उलूकस्तं तु विंशत्या विद्ध्वा स्वर्णविभूषितै: । अथास्य समरे क्रुद्धों ध्वजं चिच्छेद काउ्चनम्
ulūkas taṃ tu viṃśatyā viddhvā svarṇavibhūṣitaiḥ | athāsya samare kruddho dhvajaṃ ciccheda kāñcanam ||
Sinabi ni Sanjaya: Si Ulūka, matapos siyang tamaan ng dalawampung palasong may palamuting ginto, ay—sa galit sa gitna ng labanan—pinutol at ibinagsak ang kaniyang gintong watawat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare targets not only the body but also symbols of identity and honor: cutting a warrior’s banner is a strategic humiliation meant to weaken resolve, illustrating the moral and psychological dimensions that accompany physical violence in epic battle.
Sanjaya reports that Uluka wounds Yuyutsu with twenty gold-adorned arrows and, in anger during the fight, severs Yuyutsu’s golden standard (dhvaja), a visible sign of dominance on the battlefield.