Shloka 70
रथाक्षमात्रैरिषुभिरभ्यवर्षद् घटोत्कच: । रथिनामृषभं कर्ण धाराभिरिव तोयद:,जैसे बादल पर्वतपर जलकी धारा बरसाता है, उसी प्रकार घटोत्कच रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ कर्णपर रथके धुरेके समान मोटे-मोटे बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगा
sañjaya uvāca |
rathākṣamātrair iṣubhir abhyavarṣad ghaṭotkacaḥ |
rathinām ṛṣabhaṃ karṇaṃ dhārābhir iva toyadaḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Ghaṭotkaca showered Karṇa—the foremost bull among chariot-warriors—with arrows as thick as a chariot-axle, pouring them down like a rain-cloud sends torrents in streaming sheets. The scene underscores the ferocity of battle, where prowess and resolve collide, and even the greatest are tested by overwhelming force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, even the most renowned warrior can be overwhelmed by sheer force and relentless assault; it points to the testing of valor and endurance, and the sobering reality that fame and rank do not exempt one from danger.
Sanjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca launching a heavy, continuous barrage of arrows—likened to rain-cloud torrents—against Karṇa, acclaimed as the foremost among chariot-fighters.