Shloka 163
ततो मुमोच नाराचान् द्रौणिस्तांश्व॒ सहस्रशः | तावप्यग्निशिखप्रख्यैर्जघ्नतुस्तस्य मार्गणान्,तब अभश्वत्थामाने भी उनपर सहस्रों नाराच चलाये। धृष्टद्युम्म और घटोत्कचने भी अग्निशिखाके समान तेजस्वी बाणोंद्वारा अश्वत्थामाके नाराचोंको काट डाला
tato mumoca nārācān drauṇis tāñ śata-sahasraśaḥ | tāv apy agni-śikhā-prakhyair jaghnatus tasya mārgānān ||
Sañjaya said: Then Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman) released volleys of nārāca arrows in hundreds and thousands. Yet those two warriors struck down his missiles with arrows blazing like tongues of fire—showing, amid the fury of battle, the disciplined mastery of arms and the relentless resolve to check a destructive onslaught rather than allow it to fall upon the host unchecked.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a violent setting, the episode highlights disciplined agency: skilled warriors are expected to counter a harmful barrage effectively, limiting damage to the wider force. Martial excellence here functions as a form of responsibility—checking excess destruction rather than letting it spread.
Aśvatthāman unleashes massive volleys of nārāca arrows. Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Ghaṭotkaca respond by cutting down those incoming missiles with blazing, fire-like arrows, neutralizing the attack mid-flight.