Shloka 62
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
रक्षसां घोररूपाणामक्षौहिण्या समावृत: । ऐसे आठ पहियोंवाले विशाल रथपर बैठा हुआ घटोत्कच भयंकर रूपवाले राक्षसोंकी एक अक्षौहिणी सेनासे घिरा हुआ था। उस समस्त सेनाने अपने हाथोंमें शूल, मुद्गर, पर्वत- शिखर और वृक्ष ले रखे थे ।। ६१ है ।। तमुद्यतमहाचापं निशम्य व्यथिता नृपा:
sañjaya uvāca |
rakṣasāṃ ghorarūpāṇām akṣauhiṇyā samāvṛtaḥ |
aṣṭacakre mahārathye viśāle rathavare sthitaḥ |
ghaṭotkacaḥ bhayaṅkararūpo rakṣogaṇaiḥ parivṛtaḥ |
te sarve śūla-mudgara-parvataśikhara-vṛkṣān karaiḥ gṛhītvā yuddhāya samudyatāḥ |
tam udyata-mahācāpaṃ niśamya vyathitā nṛpāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Ghaṭotkaca, of terrifying appearance, sat upon a vast and splendid chariot with eight wheels, surrounded by a full akṣauhiṇī of dreadful rākṣasas. That entire host, raising in their hands spears and maces, and even mountain-peaks and uprooted trees, surged forward for battle. Hearing of him—his mighty bow already lifted—the kings were shaken with fear.
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how fear can spread through armies and rulers when confronted by overwhelming force and the uncanny. Ethically, it underscores that in war, psychological strength and steadiness are as decisive as weapons—panic weakens judgment, while composure sustains dharma-oriented action even amid terror.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca entering the battlefield in a formidable display: seated on a huge eight-wheeled chariot, encircled by a full akṣauhiṇī of rākṣasas carrying brutal weapons (spears, maces) and even natural objects (trees, mountain-peaks). The mere report of his raised great bow causes the kings to tremble.