Shloka 179
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
निहत्य राक्षसान् बाणैद्रौणिहैंडिम्बिमार्दयत् । पुनरप्यतिसंक्रुद्ध: सवृकोदरपार्षतान्,राक्षसोंका वध करके बाणोंद्वारा अश्वत्थामाने घटोत्कचको अत्यन्त पीड़ित कर दिया। फिर उस महाबली वीरने अत्यन्त कुपित होकर अपने नाराचोंसे भीमसेन और धृष्टद्यम्नसहित समस्त कुन्तीकुमारोंकों घायल करके द्रुपदपुत्र सुरथको मार डाला
nihatya rākṣasān bāṇair drauṇir haidimbim ārdhayat | punar apy atisaṁkruddhaḥ sa vṛkodarapārṣatān |
Sañjaya said: After slaying the rākṣasas with his arrows, Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāmā) grievously afflicted Haidimba’s son, Ghaṭotkaca. Then, once again inflamed with fierce anger, that mighty warrior struck down with his sharp missiles Bhīmasena and the Pāñcāla prince Dhṛṣṭadyumna along with the sons of Kuntī, and he slew Suratha, the son of Drupada. The passage underscores how wrath in battle drives escalating violence, where prowess becomes inseparable from the moral cost of indiscriminate slaughter amid the chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how unchecked anger (krodha) in war accelerates cruelty and broadens harm beyond a single target. Martial success is shown alongside its ethical burden: rage-driven action can turn combat into indiscriminate destruction, challenging the ideal of disciplined kṣatriya conduct.
Sañjaya reports that Aśvatthāmā first kills rākṣasa fighters with arrows and severely troubles Ghaṭotkaca. Then, in renewed fury, he strikes Bhīma, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and the sons of Kuntī with his missiles, and he kills Suratha, Drupada’s son.