Shloka 64

वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च

The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel

Devanagari script

दंष्टाकरालोग्रमुखं शड्कुकर्ण महाहनुम्‌ । ऊर्ध्वकेशं विरूपाक्ष॑ दीप्तास्यं निम्नितोदरम्‌,वह देखनेमें पर्वत-शिखरके समान जान पड़ता था। उसका रूप भयानक होनेके कारण वह सबको भयंकर प्रतीत होता था। उसका मुख यों ही बड़ा भीषण था; किंतु दाढ़ोंक कारण और भी विकराल हो उठा था। उसके कान कील या खूँटेके समान जान पड़ते थे। ठोढ़ी बहुत बड़ी थी। बाल ऊपरकी ओर उठे हुए थे। आँखें डरावनी थीं। मुख आगके समान प्रज्वलित था, पेट भीतरकी ओर धँसा हुआ था। उसके गलेका छेद बहुत बड़े गड़्ढेके समान जान पड़ता था। सिरके बाल किरीटसे ढके हुए थे। वह मुँह बाये हुए यमराजके समान समस्त प्राणियोंके मनमें त्रास उत्पन्न करनेवाला था। शत्रुओंको क्षुब्ध कर देनेवाले प्रजजलित अग्निके समान राक्षसराज घटोत्कचको विशाल धनुष उठाये आते देख आपके पुत्रकी सेना भयसे पीड़ित एवं क्षुब्ध हो उठी, मानो वायुसे विक्षुब्ध हुई गंगामें भयानक भँवरें और ऊँची-ऊँची लहरें उठ रही हों

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca |

daṁṣṭākarālogramukhaṁ śaṅkukarnaṁ mahāhanum |

ūrdhvakeśaṁ virūpākṣaṁ dīptāsyaṁ nimnito(d)aram ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: “He appeared with a mouth made terrifying by protruding fangs, ears like spikes, and massive jaws; his hair stood upright, his eyes were grotesque, his face blazed as if aflame, and his belly was drawn in. Seeing the rākṣasa-king Ghaṭotkaca advancing like a mountain-peak—radiant and dreadful like a blazing fire that shakes enemies—your son’s army was seized by fear and thrown into turmoil, like the Gaṅgā churned by wind into frightening whirlpools and towering waves.”

Word by Word

दंष्टा-कराल-उग्र-मुखम्having a fierce mouth made terrifying by tusks

शङ्कु-कर्णम्having ears like spikes/pegs

महाहनुम्having a huge jaw/chin

ऊर्ध्व-केशम्with hair standing upright

विरूप-अक्षम्with dreadful/odd-looking eyes

दीप्त-आस्यम्with a blazing mouth/face

निम्नित-उदरम्with a sunken belly

Speaker

सयजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Dhṛtarāṣṭra (implied by 'your son’s army')

Ghaṭotkaca

Kaurava army

Gaṅgā (river, in simile)

wind (vāyu, in simile)

fire (agni, in simile)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how inner states—especially fear—can overwhelm even large forces when confronted by a formidable opponent. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, it also underscores that war is not merely physical strength but morale, perception, and the consequences of escalating violence through terrifying means.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes the rākṣasa-king Ghaṭotkaca approaching the battlefield in a dreadful, blazing form. His appearance and power shake the Kaurava host, which becomes agitated and fearful, compared to the Gaṅgā whipped by wind into whirlpools and high waves.