Shloka 162
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
धृष्टद्युम्नस्त्वसम्भ्रान्तो मुमोचाशीविषोपमान् । सुवर्णपुड्खान् विशिखान् द्रोणपुत्रस्यथ वक्षसि,धष्टद्युम्नने भी बिना किसी घबराहटके विषधर सर्पोंके समान सुवर्णमय पंखवाले बहुत- से बाण द्रोणपुत्रके वृक्षःस्थलपर छोड़े
dhṛṣṭadyumnas tv asambhrānto mumoca āśīviṣopamān | suvarṇapuḍkhān viśikhān droṇaputrasya atha vakṣasi ||
Sañjaya said: Unshaken and without the least confusion, Dhṛṣṭadyumna released many arrows—like venomous serpents—golden-feathered and keen, and sent them into the chest of Droṇa’s son. The scene underscores the grim ethic of battlefield resolve: steadiness of mind becomes a weapon, even as the act itself deepens the cycle of retaliatory violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ideal of mental steadiness (asambhrānta) under extreme danger: composure enables decisive action. Ethically, it also points to the tragic tension in kṣatriya-dharma—duty in battle demands force, yet each strike fuels further vengeance.
Sañjaya reports that Dhṛṣṭadyumna, remaining calm, shoots many snake-like (deadly, swift) arrows with golden fletching at Droṇa’s son, Aśvatthāman, striking toward his chest in the midst of fierce combat.