Shloka 65
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
प्रमुखे वर्तमानस्य भल्लेनापाहरद् ध्वजम् | ततः प्रभग्नं तत् सैन्यं दौर्योधनमरिंदम
pramukhe vartamānasya bhallena apāharad dhvajam | tataḥ prabhagnaṃ tat sainyaṃ dauryodhanam arindama ||
桑阇耶说道：当他立于阵前之际，一支锐箭削落了他的旗帜。见此，杜尤陀那的军队——傲气受挫——顿时溃散而乱，尽管杜尤陀那本人仍是降伏强敌之人。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-psychological dimension of warfare: collective courage often depends on visible signs of order and authority (like a banner). When such symbols fall, fear and confusion can spread rapidly, showing that leadership is not only personal bravery but also sustaining the army’s confidence and cohesion.
In the thick of battle, while the warrior is positioned at the front, his banner is cut down by a bhalla-arrow. Seeing this, Duryodhana’s forces lose formation and begin to rout, even though Duryodhana is praised as an ‘arindama’ (foe-subduer).