Shloka 326
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
सुषेणं पञ्चभिर्विद्ध्वा ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छिदे । फिर तो नकुल क्रोधसे तमतमा उठे और दूसरा धनुष लेकर उन्होंने पाँच बाणोंसे सुषेणको घायल करके एकसे उसकी ध्वजाको भी काट डाला
suṣeṇaṁ pañcabhir viddhvā dhvajam ekena cicchide |
نکُل غصّے سے بھر اٹھا۔ دوسرا کمان لے کر اس نے پانچ تیروں سے سُشین کو زخمی کیا اور ایک تیر سے اس کا جھنڈا بھی کاٹ ڈالا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the Mahābhārata’s war ethic, a kṣatriya’s duty is to fight decisively; striking the opponent and cutting the banner symbolizes not only physical victory but the contest of honor, where courage and resolve are tested under dharma-bound warfare.
Sañjaya reports a combat moment: the attacker wounds Suṣeṇa with five arrows and then cuts down his chariot-banner with one arrow, a tactical and symbolic blow meant to demoralize and mark superiority.