Shloka 130
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
भूयश्वाञज्जलिकेनाथ मार्गणेन महाप्रभम् | दौणिहस्तस्थितं चापं चिच्छेदाशु घटोत्कच:,इतनेहीमें घटोत्कचने पुन: अंजलिक नामक बाणसे अअश्वत्थामाके हाथमें स्थित अत्यन्त कान्तिमान् धनुषको शीघ्रतापूर्वक काट डाला
bhūyaś cāñjalikena atha mārgaṇena mahāprabham | dauṇi-hasta-sthitaṃ cāpaṃ ciccheda āśu ghaṭotkacaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then again, with an Añjalika arrow, Ghaṭotkaca swiftly cut down the exceedingly splendid bow that was held in the hand of Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāmā). In the harsh ethics of battle, disabling an opponent’s weapon becomes a decisive act—checking further violence by stripping the enemy of immediate means, even as the war’s ferocity continues unabated.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even within war, actions are judged by immediate intent and consequence: disabling a weapon can be seen as a tactical restraint—reducing an opponent’s capacity to harm—yet it also highlights how dharma in battle is complex, balancing necessity, proportionality, and the relentless momentum of conflict.
Sañjaya reports that Ghaṭotkaca, using an Añjalika arrow, quickly severs the radiant bow held by Aśvatthāmā, thereby interrupting Aśvatthāmā’s ability to continue fighting with that weapon.