Shloka 123
वेगेनाविध्य चिक्षेप द्रोणपुत्ररथं प्रति । धनुष कट जानेपर बलवान भीमसेनने द्रोणपुत्रके रथपर एक भयंकर रथशक्ति बड़े वेगसे घुमाकर फेंकी ।। तामापतन्तीं सहसा महोल्काभां शितै: शरै:
sañjaya uvāca |
vegenāvidhya cikṣepa droṇaputrarathaṃ prati |
dhanuṣ-kaṭa-jānena parabalavān bhīmasenena droṇaputrasya rathopari ekā bhayaṅkarā rathaśaktir mahāvegena bhrāmayitvā kṣiptā ||
tām āpatantīṃ sahasā maholkābhāṃ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Bhīmasena, yang sangat kuat dan mahir memanah, memutar lalu melempar rathasakti yang mengerikan ke arah kereta putra Droṇa dengan daya yang dahsyat. Ia melesat turun bagaikan meteor menyala, namun di tengah lintasan ditahan oleh anak panah yang tajam. Dalam perang, tiap serangan segera mengundang serangan balasan; di tengah kehancuran, pengendalian diri, kemahiran, dan tanggung jawab memikul bobot dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh ethical reality of battlefield dharma: power must be governed by skill and responsibility. Even a terrifying weapon is answered by disciplined counteraction, suggesting that in war, restraint and mastery (not mere rage) are what keep one aligned with kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma hurling a fearsome chariot-spear at Aśvatthāman’s chariot. The missile, likened to a blazing meteor, is immediately confronted with sharp arrows, indicating an attempt to intercept or neutralize it mid-flight.