Shloka 36
कर्णभीमसेनयुद्धम् | Karṇa–Bhīmasena Engagement
Chapter 111
(ततो5भिगम्य राजानं धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम् । स्वकमविदयमन्मूर्थधना साञउ्जलिनिपपात ह ।। मूर्थ्युपाप्राय तं ज्येष्ठ: परिष्वज्य च पाण्डव: । प्रीतो$स्मीत्यब्रवीद् राजन् हर्षादुत्फुल्ललोचन: ।। घटोत्कचेन निष्पिष्टे मृते शालकटड्कटे । बभूवुर्मुदिता: सर्वे हते तस्मिन् निशाचरे ।।) तदनन्तर घटोत्कच धर्मपुत्र राजा युधिष्ठिरके पास जाकर हाथ जोड़ मस्तक नवाकर अपना कर्म निवेदन करता हुआ उनके चरणोंमें गिर पड़ा। राजन्! तब ज्येष्ठ पाण्डवने उसका मस्तक सूँघकर उसे हृदयसे लगा लिया और कहा--'वत्स! मैं तुमपर बहुत प्रसन्न हूँ! उस समय युधिष्ठिरके नेत्र हर्षसे खिल उठे थे। शालकटंकटाके पुत्र राक्षस अलम्बुषको जब घटोत्कचने पृथ्वीपर रगड़कर मार डाला, तब सब लोग बहुत प्रसन्न हुए। स पूज्यमान: पितृभि: सबान्धवै- घटोत्कच: कर्मणि दुष्करे कृते । रिपुं निहत्याभिननन्द वै तदा हालम्बुषं पक्वमलम्बुषं यथा,पके हुए अलम्बुष (मुंडीर) फलके समान अपने शत्रु अलम्बुषको मारकर घटोत्कच वह दुष्कर पराक्रम करनेके कारण अपने पिता पाण्डवों तथा बन्धु-बान्धवोंसे सम्मानित एवं प्रशंसित हो उस समय बड़ी प्रसन्नताका अनुभव करने लगा
tato 'bhigamya rājānaṃ dharmaputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram | svakaṃ viditam ānīya mūrdhnā sāñjalir nipapāta ha || mūrdhny upāghrāya taṃ jyeṣṭhaḥ pariṣvajya ca pāṇḍavaḥ | prīto 'smīty abravīd rājan harṣād utphullalocanaḥ || ghaṭotkacena niṣpiṣṭe mṛte śālakaṭaṅkaṭe | babhūvur muditāḥ sarve hate tasmin niśācare || sa pūjyamānaḥ pitṛbhiḥ sabāndhavaiḥ ghaṭotkacaḥ karmaṇi duṣkare kṛte | ripuṃ nihatya abhinananda vai tadā hālambuṣaṃ pakvam alambuṣaṃ yathā ||
Sañjaya said: Thereafter Ghaṭotkaca approached King Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Dharma. With hands joined and head bowed, he reported his deed and fell at the king’s feet. The eldest Pāṇḍava, overjoyed, smelled his head in affection, embraced him, and said, “My child, I am greatly pleased with you,” his eyes blossoming with delight. When the night-ranging rākṣasa Alambuṣa, son of Śālakaṭaṅkaṭa, had been crushed and slain by Ghaṭotkaca, everyone rejoiced. Honoured and praised by his fathers and kinsmen for accomplishing a difficult feat, Ghaṭotkaca felt deep satisfaction after killing his enemy—like striking down a ripe alambuṣa fruit.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, conduct is framed by dharma: a warrior reports truthfully to his rightful king, offers respectful obeisance, and receives recognition that is affectionate yet ethically grounded—praise for a difficult duty fulfilled and protection of one’s side from a dangerous aggressor.
After slaying the rākṣasa Alambuṣa by crushing him, Ghaṭotkaca goes to King Yudhiṣṭhira, bows with folded hands, and reports his action. Yudhiṣṭhira affectionately blesses and embraces him, and the Pāṇḍava camp rejoices at the death of the night-ranging enemy.