Shloka 166
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
तदनन्तर एक हजार रथ, तीन सौ हाथी और छ: हजार घुड़सवारोंके साथ भीमसेन उस युद्धस्थलमें आये ।। ततो भीमात्मजं रक्षो धृष्टद्युम्नं च सानुगम् अयोधयत धर्मात्मा दौणिरक्लिष्टविक्रम:,उस समय अनायास ही पराक्रम प्रकट करनेवाला धर्मात्मा अश्व॒त्थामा भीमपुत्र राक्षस घटोत्कच तथा सेवकों-सहित धृष्टद्युम्नके साथ अकेला ही युद्ध कर रहा था
tadanantaraṁ eka-sahasra-rathaiḥ trīṇi-śatāni hastibhiḥ ṣaṭ-sahasra-aśvārūḍhaiś ca sārdhaṁ bhīmasenaḥ tasmin yuddhasthale āyayau || tato bhīmātmajaṁ rakṣo dhṛṣṭadyumnaṁ ca sānugam ayodhayat dharmātmā droṇir akliṣṭa-vikramaḥ ||
After that, Bhīmasena arrived on the battlefield accompanied by a thousand chariots, three hundred elephants, and six thousand horsemen. Then Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāmā—steadfast in dharma and effortless in valor—engaged in combat, fighting single-handedly against Bhīma’s son, the rākṣasa Ghaṭotkaca, and also Dhṛṣṭadyumna together with his attendants.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how dharma in war is framed as steadfast performance of one’s role: commanders marshal vast forces, yet individual warriors are judged by resolve, restraint, and unwavering courage. It also hints at the ethical tension of glorifying prowess while the conflict intensifies toward greater destruction.
Bhīma arrives at the battlefield with a large contingent of chariots, elephants, and cavalry. Aśvatthāmā, described as righteous and effortlessly valorous, is simultaneously fighting Ghaṭotkaca (Bhīma’s rākṣasa son) and Dhṛṣṭadyumna along with his attendants.