Shloka 37
ततः क्षुरप्रेण सुसंशितेन सुवर्णपुड्खेन हुताग्निवर्चसा । श्रिया ज्वलन्तं ध्वजमुन्ममाथ महारथस्याधिरथे: किरीटी
tataḥ kṣurapreṇa susaṃśitena suvarṇapuḍkhena hutāgnivarcāsā | śriyā jvalantaṃ dhvajam unmamātha mahārathasyādhiratheḥ kirīṭī ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Pagkaraan, ang koronadong si Arjuna, mula sa kanyang karwahe, ay gumamit ng palasong kasingtalim ng labaha—mahusay na hinasa, may gintong balahibo, at nagliliyab na parang apoy ng paghahandog—at winasak ang bandila ng dakilang mandirigmang-karwahe na si Karṇa, isang sagisag na dati’y walang humpay na nagliliwanag sa karangyaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of external splendor—symbols of status like a banner can be destroyed in an instant. In the dharmic frame of the epic, it cautions against overreliance on pride and public honor, and highlights how swiftly fortune turns in war when one is bound to a chosen course of action.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, using a sharp razor-headed arrow with golden fletching and fire-like brilliance, strikes and shatters Karṇa’s radiant battle-standard (dhvaja), a significant symbolic setback for Karṇa amid the chariot duel.