स शरार्पितसर्वाङ्गः क्रुद्धो विव्याध पाण्डवम् ॥
नाराचैर् अर्करश्म्याभैर् भीमसेनं स्मयन्न् इव ॥
तस्य नागं मणिमयं रत्नचित्रं ध्वजे स्थितम् ॥
भल्लाभ्यां कार्मुकं चैव क्षिप्रं चिच्छेद पाण्डवः ॥
sa śarārpitasarvāṅgaḥ kruddho vivyādha pāṇḍavam ||
nārācair arkaraśmyābhair bhīmasenaṃ smayann iva ||
tasya nāgaṃ maṇimayaṃ ratnacitraṃ dhvaje sthitam ||
bhallābhyāṃ kārmukaṃ caiva kṣipraṃ ciccheda pāṇḍavaḥ ||
He [Duryodhana], all studded with arrows, in wrath wounded the Pandava with naracha arrows gleaming like the sun's rays — Bhimasena — as though grinning. And the Pandava, with two bhalla arrows, instantly cut down the jeweled elephant, variegated with gems, fixed on his banner, and his bow.
12213f7d8cfb · published Jul 19, 2026, 3:11:21 PM UTC
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Duryodhana, himself all studded with arrows, fights "as though grinning" — the mocking bravado of one who hides his pain behind pride. Bhima answers with deeds: he knocks the jeweled emblem from his banner and cuts down his bow — depriving him not yet of life, but of his tokens and means. It is telling that the lavish jeweled elephant on Duryodhana's standard falls first under the blow — outward splendor perishes before the substance. The verse teaches that bravado and a grin in the face of pain are not courage but its counterfeit; that a true warrior answers not with words but with deeds, stripping the enemy of his support; and that all the pomp of insignia and adornment is fragile in battle — the jeweled elephant on the banner falls first, for luxury stands defenseless where strength decides.