Shloka 144
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
तच्छस्त्रवर्ष सुमहद् द्रोणपुत्रस्य मूर्थनि । पतमानं समीक्ष्याथ योधास्ते व्यथिताभवन्
tac chastravarṣa sumahad droṇaputrasya mūrdhani | patamānaṃ samīkṣyātha yodhās te vyathitābhavan ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing that immense shower of weapons descending upon the head of Droṇa’s son, those warriors were shaken with distress. The scene underscores how, in the frenzy of battle, even seasoned fighters can be morally and emotionally unsettled when violence concentrates upon a single person with overwhelming force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the human cost of war: when violence becomes excessive and concentrated, even hardened warriors experience inner disturbance. It implicitly cautions that martial duty (kṣatriya-dharma) does not erase moral sensitivity; the mind still recoils at overwhelming harm.
Sañjaya reports that a massive barrage of weapons is seen falling upon Droṇa’s son, Aśvatthāman. Witnessing this, the surrounding warriors become agitated and distressed, indicating the intensity and peril of the moment on the battlefield.