Shloka 101
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
रथाक्षमात्रैरिषुभिर भ्यवर्षद् घटोत्कच: । रथिनामृषभं द्रौणिं धाराभिरिव तोयद:,जैसे बादल पर्वतपर जलकी धारा बरसाता है, उसी प्रकार घटोत्कच रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अश्वत्थामापर रथकी धुरीके समान मोटे बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगा
rathākṣamātrair iṣubhir abhyavarṣad ghaṭotkacaḥ | rathinām ṛṣabhaṃ drauṇiṃ dhārābhir iva toyadaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Ghaṭotkaca menumpahkan hujan anak panah setebal poros kereta ke arah Aśvatthāmā (Drauṇi), yang terunggul di antara para kesatria berkereta. Laksana awan hujan mencurahkan aliran deras di lereng gunung, demikianlah ia melepas badai panah di tengah laga.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war amplifies extremes—might, anger, and retaliation—often overwhelming moderation. Ethically, it points to the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension: kṣatriya valor and duty in battle can coexist with destructive excess, urging reflection on the cost of unchecked fury.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca launching a massive barrage of very thick arrows at Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son), likening the attack to a rain-cloud pouring down torrents—signaling an intense escalation in the night-battle atmosphere of the Droṇa Parva.