Shloka 23
Book 10, Adhyāya 12: Aśvatthāmā’s Request for the Cakra and the Brahmaśiras Context
गृहाण चक्रमित्युक्तो मया तु तदनन्तरम् | जग्राहोत्पत्य सहसा चक्रं सवब्येन पाणिना,सर्वयत्नबलेनापि गृह्नन्नेवमिदं तत: । ततः सर्वबलेनापि यदैनं॑ न शशाक ह 'सारा प्रयत्त और सारी शक्ति लगाकर भी जब उसे पकड़कर उठा अथवा हिला न सका, तब द्रोणकुमार मन-ही-मन बहुत दुःखी हो गया। भारत! यत्न करके थक जानेपर वह उसे लेनेकी चेष्टासे निवृत्त हो गया
gṛhāṇa cakram ity ukto mayā tu tad-anantaram | jagrāhotpatya sahasā cakraṃ savyena pāṇinā | sarva-yatna-balena api gṛhṇann evam idaṃ tataḥ | tataḥ sarva-balena api yad enaṃ na śaśāka ha |
Vaiśampāyana said: When I told him, “Take up the discus,” he immediately sprang up and, with his left hand, seized the wheel. Yet, even exerting every effort and all his strength, he could not lift it or move it. When, despite straining with his full power, he still failed to take it, Droṇa’s son became inwardly distressed; and, exhausted by his attempts, he desisted from trying to carry it away.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the limits of brute strength: when desire and aggression exceed rightful capacity or moral restraint, effort alone cannot secure success, and frustration follows.
After being told to take the cakra, Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāmā) impulsively grabs it with his left hand and strains with all his might, but cannot lift or move it; exhausted and distressed, he gives up the attempt.