Shloka 161
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
धृष्टद्युम्नरथं गत्वा भैमसेनिस्ततो मृष । धनुर्घोरंं समादाय महदिन्द्रायुधोपमम् । मुमोच निशितान् बाणान् पुनद्रौणेमहोरसि,नरेश्वरर! उस समय भीमसेनकुमारने धृष्टद्युम्मके रथपर आरूढ़ हो इन्द्रायुधके समान विशाल एवं घोर धनुष हाथमें लेकर अश्वत्थामाके विशाल वक्ष:स्थलपर बहुत-से तीखे बाण मारे
dhṛṣṭadyumnarathaṁ gatvā bhaimasenis tato mṛṣa | dhanur ghoraṁ samādāya mahad indrāyudhopamam | mumoca niśitān bāṇān punar drauṇe mahāurasi ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai raja, kemudian putra Bhīma menaiki kereta Dhṛṣṭadyumna; menggenggam busur yang besar dan menggetarkan, laksana vajra Indra, ia kembali melepaskan banyak anak panah tajam ke dada lebar Aśvatthāmā, putra Droṇa.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, duty-bound warriors often intensify conflict through repeated retaliation; it invites reflection on the ethical cost of relentless violence even when performed under the banner of loyalty and kṣatriya valor.
Bhīma’s son mounts Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s chariot, takes up a mighty bow likened to Indra’s weapon, and again shoots many sharp arrows into Aśvatthāmā’s broad chest, as Sañjaya reports to the king.