Shloka 37
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
घटोत्कचोभिसंक्रुद्धों ज्ञातिभि: परिवारित: । अभिद॒द्राव वेगेन द्रौणिमाहवशोभिनम्
ghaṭotkaco 'bhisaṁkruddho jñātibhiḥ parivāritaḥ | abhidadrāva vegena drauṇim āhavaśobhinam ||
Sañjaya said: Enraged and surrounded by his own kinsmen, Ghaṭotkaca rushed forward with great speed against Drauṇi (Aśvatthāman), who was making the battlefield resplendent. The moment underscores how, amid the moral strain of war, kinship and loyalty intensify resolve, driving warriors to confront formidable opponents in defense of their side.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense emotions and allegiance to one’s own side (jñāti) can propel decisive action in war; it implicitly invites reflection on the ethical tension between righteous duty in battle and the consuming force of anger.
Sañjaya reports that Ghaṭotkaca, furious and supported by his kinsmen, charges swiftly at Drauṇi (Aśvatthāman), who is distinguished on the battlefield.