Shloka 147
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
तद्बाणैरर्दितं यूथं रक्षसां पीनवक्षसाम् । सिंहैरिव बभौ मत्तं गजानामाकुलं कुलम्,उन बाणोंसे चौड़ी छातीवाले राक्षसोंका समूह अत्यन्त पीड़ित हो सिंहोंद्वारा व्याकुल किये गये मतवाले हाथियोंके झुंडके समान प्रतीत होने लगा
tad-bāṇair arditaṃ yūthaṃ rakṣasāṃ pīna-vakṣasām | siṃhair iva babhau mattaṃ gajānām ākulaṃ kulam ||
Sañjaya said: Struck and tormented by those arrows, the troop of broad-chested Rākṣasas appeared like a herd of intoxicated elephants thrown into confusion by lions—its strength still evident, yet its order shattered under the pressure of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how even formidable strength becomes ineffective when discipline and cohesion collapse; in war, panic and disorder can undo power, reminding readers that force without steadiness and right control quickly turns into suffering.
Sañjaya describes a band of stout Rākṣasa fighters being severely harried by a shower of arrows; their formation breaks and they look like rut-maddened elephants scattered and distressed when lions attack.