Shloka 107
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
ततो हसन्निव द्रौणिर्वज्ञमस्त्रमुदैरयत् । स तेनास्त्रेण शैलेन्द्र: क्षिप्त: क्षिप्रं व्यनश्यत,तदनन्तर द्रोणकुमारने हँसते हुए-से वज्ञास्त्रको प्रकट किया। उस अस्त्रका आघात होते ही वह पर्वतराज तत्काल अदृश्य हो गया
tato hasann iva drauṇir vajram astram udairayat | sa tenāstreṇa śailendraḥ kṣiptaḥ kṣipraṁ vyanaśyat |
Sañjaya said: Then Droṇa’s son, as though laughing, brought forth the Vajra-weapon. Struck and hurled by that missile, the king of mountains vanished at once. The scene underscores how, in the frenzy of war, martial power can eclipse restraint—displaying awe-inspiring prowess while also hinting at the peril of weaponry used for intimidation and escalation rather than measured necessity.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the intoxicating confidence that can accompany power in war: a warrior’s display of overwhelming weaponry may win immediate advantage, yet it also signals the ethical danger of using force to intimidate and escalate rather than to uphold restraint and proportionality.
Sañjaya reports that Aśvatthāman (Droṇa’s son) invokes and releases the Vajra-astra; upon its impact, a great mountain (śailendra) is instantly made to vanish, demonstrating the terrifying potency of invoked missiles.