Shloka 16
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
तमापततन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य बाणमिन्द्राशनिप्रभम् । लाघवान्मोचयामास महात्मा वै घटोत्कच:,इन्द्रके वज़के समान प्रकाशित होनेवाले उस बाणको अपनी ओर आता देख महामना राक्षस घटोत्कचने अपनी फुर्तीके कारण अपने-आपको उससे बचा लिया
tam āpatatantaṁ samprekṣya bāṇam indrāśaniprabhām | lāghavān mocayāmāsa mahātmā vai ghaṭotkacaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing that arrow—radiant like Indra’s thunderbolt—hurtling toward him, the great-souled Ghaṭotkaca, by sheer swiftness and presence of mind, freed himself from its strike. In the ethic of battle, the verse highlights alertness and skill as legitimate means of self-preservation amid lawful combat, where prowess and quick judgment decide survival.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the harsh setting of war, survival and success depend on vigilant awareness (samprekṣya) and disciplined agility (lāghava). The verse implicitly affirms that skillful defense and quick judgment are ethically acceptable within the rules of combat.
An arrow shining like Indra’s thunderbolt rushes toward Ghaṭotkaca. He notices it in time and, using swift movement, avoids or slips free from its impact.