Shloka 76
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
स तु लब्ध्वान्तरं तूर्णमपायाज्जवनैह्यै: । छिन्नवर्मध्वज: शूरो निकृत्त: परमेषुभि:
sa tu labdhvāntaraṃ tūṛṇam apāyāj javanaiḥ hayaiḥ | chinnavarma-dhvajaḥ śūro nikṛttaḥ parameṣubhiḥ ||
ارجن کے بہترین تیروں سے درون کا زرہ اور علم چیتھڑے چیتھڑے ہو چکا تھا۔ وہ خود بھی سخت زخمی ہو گیا تھا؛ اس لیے موقع پاتے ہی تیز رفتار گھوڑوں کو دوڑا کر وہ فوراً وہاں سے پسپا ہو کر بھاگ نکلا۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent conduct in war: when one is decisively disabled (armour and standard destroyed, body wounded), withdrawing at the right moment can be a legitimate kṣatriya tactic. It suggests that courage is not mere stubbornness; discernment and preservation of strength can align better with dharma than a futile last stand.
During the battle episode, Arjuna’s excellent arrows shatter the opponent’s armour and banner and inflict serious wounds. Seeing an opening, the wounded warrior quickly retreats by driving his swift horses away from the field.