Shloka 326
अध्याय ८८ — घटोत्कच-दुर्योधनयुद्धवर्णनम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Duryodhana Engagement
विव्याध घोरैर्यमदण्डकल्पै: शितै:शरै: पञचशतै: समन्तात् । इस प्रकार सहसा हाथमें गदा लिये भीमसेनको वेगपूर्वक आते देख जयद्रथने यमदण्डके समान भयंकर पाँच सौ तीखे बाणोंद्वारा सब ओरसे उन्हें घायल कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
vivyādha ghorair yamadaṇḍa-kalpaiḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ pañcaśataiḥ samantāt |
Sañjaya said: Seeing Bhīmasena rushing forward with a mace in hand, Jayadratha swiftly struck him from all sides with five hundred sharp arrows—terrible as Yama’s rod—wounding him severely. The scene underscores the ruthless momentum of battle, where valor meets calculated resistance and the warrior’s resolve is tested amid relentless violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya-world reality of dharma in war: courage and forward resolve are met by equally forceful opposition, and the warrior must endure pain and danger without abandoning purpose. The image of 'Yama’s rod' stresses the proximity of death and the ethical gravity of battlefield action.
Bhīma charges forward holding a mace. Jayadratha, reacting quickly, surrounds him with a barrage of five hundred sharp arrows, wounding him on all sides, as Sañjaya reports the unfolding combat.