Shloka 19
अध्याय २९: कर्णस्य शल्यं प्रति शापस्मरणं च युद्धनिश्चयः | Chapter 29: Karṇa recalls curses to Śalya and declares resolve for battle
तस्यार्जुनो धनु: सूतमश्वान् केतुं च सायकै: । हत्वा सप्तभिरेकेन छत्र॑ चिच्छेद पत्रिणा,अर्जुनने सात बाणोंसे दुर्योधनके धनुष, सारथि, घोड़ों और ध्वजको नष्ट करके एक बाणसे उसका छत्र भी काट डाला
tasyārjuno dhanuḥ sūtam aśvān ketuṃ ca sāyakaiḥ | hatvā saptabhir ekena chatraṃ ciccheda patriṇā ||
Sañjaya nói: Rồi Arjuna dùng tên bắn hạ cung của Duryodhana, người đánh xe, bầy ngựa và lá cờ—bằng bảy mũi; và chỉ với một mũi tên có lông vũ, chàng còn chém đứt cả chiếc lọng của hắn.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the Mahābhārata’s war-ethic, mastery (śaurya and kauśala) is used not only to wound but to disable an opponent’s capacity and symbols of power—bow, chariot-team, banner, and parasol—thereby asserting dominance and breaking morale. It also reflects the tension between valor and the harsh consequences of war, where even royal emblems become targets.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna rapidly overwhelms Duryodhana: with seven arrows he destroys key elements of Duryodhana’s chariot-fighting setup (bow, charioteer, horses, and banner), and then with a single feathered arrow he cuts off Duryodhana’s parasol, a visible sign of royal status.