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Shloka 123

वेगेनाविध्य चिक्षेप द्रोणपुत्ररथं प्रति । धनुष कट जानेपर बलवान भीमसेनने द्रोणपुत्रके रथपर एक भयंकर रथशक्ति बड़े वेगसे घुमाकर फेंकी ।। तामापतन्तीं सहसा महोल्काभां शितै: शरै:

sañjaya uvāca |

vegenāvidhya cikṣepa droṇaputrarathaṃ prati |

dhanuṣ-kaṭa-jānena parabalavān bhīmasenena droṇaputrasya rathopari ekā bhayaṅkarā rathaśaktir mahāvegena bhrāmayitvā kṣiptā ||

tām āpatantīṃ sahasā maholkābhāṃ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||

قال سانجيا: وبقوةٍ هائلة قذف بهيماسينا—وهو شديد البأس، بارعٌ في القوس—رمحَ العربة المروّع نحو عربة ابن درونا. كان يدور بسرعةٍ عظيمة ثم اندفع هابطًا كنيزكٍ متّقد؛ غير أنّه لُقِيَ في منتصف طيرانه بسهامٍ حادّة اعترضته. ويُبرز هذا المشهد قسوة الحرب الكئيبة: فالبراعة ليست للهوٍ بل للبقاء؛ وكل فعلٍ من العنف يستدعي على الفور ردًّا مضادًّا، وثِقَلُ الأخلاق في القتال قائمٌ على ضبط النفس والمهارة وتحمل المسؤولية وسط الخراب.

वेगेनwith speed/force
वेगेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootवेग
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
आविध्यhaving whirled/brandished
आविध्य:
TypeVerb
Rootआ + व्यध्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Non-finite
चिक्षेपthrew/cast
चिक्षेप:
TypeVerb
Rootक्षिप्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
द्रोणपुत्ररथम्the chariot of Droṇa's son (Aśvatthāman)
द्रोणपुत्ररथम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootद्रोणपुत्र-रथ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
प्रतिtowards/against
प्रति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootप्रति
ताम्that (weapon), her/it
ताम्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
आपतन्तीम्falling/descending (towards)
आपतन्तीम्:
TypeVerb
Rootआ + पत्
Formशतृ (present active participle), Feminine, Accusative, Singular
सहसाsuddenly
सहसा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसहसा
महोल्काभाम्having the splendor of a great meteor
महोल्काभाम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootमहा-उल्का-आभा
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
शितैःwith sharp
शितैः:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootशित
FormMasculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural
शरैःarrows
शरैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootशर
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
B
Bhīmasena (Bhīma)
D
Droṇaputra (Aśvatthāman)
R
ratha (chariot)
R
rathaśakti (chariot-spear/javelin)
Ś
śara (arrows)
M
mahā-ulkā (meteor/fireball imagery)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights the harsh ethical reality of battlefield dharma: power must be governed by skill and responsibility. Even a terrifying weapon is answered by disciplined counteraction, suggesting that in war, restraint and mastery (not mere rage) are what keep one aligned with kṣatriya duty.

Sañjaya describes Bhīma hurling a fearsome chariot-spear at Aśvatthāman’s chariot. The missile, likened to a blazing meteor, is immediately confronted with sharp arrows, indicating an attempt to intercept or neutralize it mid-flight.