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Shloka 101

वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च

The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel

रथाक्षमात्रैरिषुभिर भ्यवर्षद्‌ घटोत्कच: । रथिनामृषभं द्रौणिं धाराभिरिव तोयद:,जैसे बादल पर्वतपर जलकी धारा बरसाता है, उसी प्रकार घटोत्कच रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अश्वत्थामापर रथकी धुरीके समान मोटे बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगा

rathākṣamātrair iṣubhir abhyavarṣad ghaṭotkacaḥ | rathinām ṛṣabhaṃ drauṇiṃ dhārābhir iva toyadaḥ ||

قال سنجيا: أمطر غهاطوتكاتشا على أشوَتّاما (دراوْني)، وهو أسبقُ فرسانِ العَرَبات، وابلًا من السهام غليظًا كأنه محورُ العربة. كان كالسحابة الماطرة تُرسل سيولًا متدفقة—صورةً لقوةٍ طاغية أُطلقت في حُمّى القتال، حيث تُغشي البأسُ والغضبُ كلَّ ضبطٍ للنفس.

रथाक्षमात्रैःwith (arrows) of the measure of an axle of a chariot
रथाक्षमात्रैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootरथाक्षमात्र
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Plural
इषुभिःwith arrows
इषुभिः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootइषु
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
अभ्यवर्षत्rained down, showered
अभ्यवर्षत्:
TypeVerb
Rootअभि-√वृष्
FormImperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
घटोत्कचःGhaṭotkaca
घटोत्कचः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootघटोत्कच
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
रथिनाम्of chariot-warriors
रथिनाम्:
TypeNoun
Rootरथिन्
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
ऋषभम्the bull (i.e., the best)
ऋषभम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootऋषभ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
द्रौणिम्Drauṇi (Aśvatthāman)
द्रौणिम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootद्रौणि
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
धाराभिःwith streams, in torrents
धाराभिः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootधारा
FormFeminine, Instrumental, Plural
इवlike, as if
इव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव
तोयदःa rain-cloud
तोयदः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootतोयद
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
G
Ghaṭotkaca
A
Aśvatthāmā (Drauṇi)
C
chariot-axle (rathākṣa)
A
arrows (iṣu)
R
rain-cloud (toyada)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how war amplifies extremes—might, anger, and retaliation—often overwhelming moderation. Ethically, it points to the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension: kṣatriya valor and duty in battle can coexist with destructive excess, urging reflection on the cost of unchecked fury.

Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca launching a massive barrage of very thick arrows at Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son), likening the attack to a rain-cloud pouring down torrents—signaling an intense escalation in the night-battle atmosphere of the Droṇa Parva.