Shloka 35
Arjuna’s Advance toward Bhīṣma; The Gāṇḍīva’s Signal and the Armies’ Convergence (भीष्माभिमुखगमनम् — गाण्डीवनिर्घोष-ध्वजवर्णनम्)
पातयामास भल्लेन कुण्डलाभ्यां विभूषितम् | तदनन्तर सुषेणको मारकर मौतके घर भेज दिया और उग्रके कुण्डलमण्डित चन्द्रोपम मस्तकको एक भल््लके द्वारा शिरस्त्राणसहित काटकर पृथ्वीपर गिरा दिया || ३४ ह ।।
pātayāmāsa bhallena kuṇḍalābhyāṃ vibhūṣitam | vīrabāhuṃ ca saptatyā sāśvaketuṃ sasārathim ||
سنجے نے کہا—اس نے تیز بھلّہ تیر سے، کانوں کے کُنڈلوں سے آراستہ اس سورما کو گرا دیا۔ پھر ویرباہو کو بھی—علم، گھوڑوں اور سارتھی سمیت—رتھ سے پٹخ دیا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: worldly adornments and supports (banner, horses, charioteer) do not protect one from sudden reversal; power is contingent and impermanent amid adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports a battlefield feat: a warrior is struck down by a bhalla-arrow despite being ornamented with earrings, and Vīrabāhu is also felled along with his chariot’s key supports—standard, horses, and charioteer.