Shloka 666
भीष्मशिबिरगमनम् — Duryodhana’s Visit to Bhīṣma’s Camp and the Command Appeal
परश्चवधेन तीक्ष्णेन चिच्छेद च पुन: पुन: । इस प्रकार उस राक्षसका जो-जो अंग कटता, वह पुनः नये सिरेसे उत्पन्न हो जाता था। इरावान् भी अत्यन्त कुपित होकर उस महाबली राक्षसको बारंबार तीखे फरसेसे काटने लगा
sañjaya uvāca | paraśvadhena tīkṣṇena ciccheda ca punaḥ punaḥ |
Sañjaya dijo: «Con un hacha de guerra afilada lo cortaba una y otra vez. Pero cada miembro del rākṣasa que era cercenado volvía a brotar de nuevo. Irāvān también, encendido de ira, seguía hiriendo repetidamente a aquel rākṣasa poderoso con su hacha aguda.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights steadfast effort in the face of seemingly invincible adversity: a warrior continues his duty without yielding, even when ordinary means appear ineffective. Ethically, it underscores kṣatriya-dharma—courage and persistence in protecting one’s side amid the chaos of war.
Sañjaya describes Irāvān repeatedly striking a powerful rākṣasa with a sharp axe. Each time a limb is cut off, it regenerates, intensifying the struggle and showcasing both the rākṣasa’s uncanny power and Irāvān’s relentless fury and valor.