Shloka 73
तमज्जनचयप्रख्यं कर्णो दृष्टयवा महीधरम्,घटोत्कचको अंजनराशिके समान काला पर्वत बनकर अपने झरनोंद्वारा भयंकर अस्त्र- शस्त्रोंको प्रवाहित करते देखकर भी कर्णके मनमें तनिक भी क्षोभ नहीं हुआ। उसने मुसकराते हुए-से अपना दिव्यास्त्र प्रकट किया
sañjaya uvāca | tam ajjanacaya-prakhyaṁ karṇo dṛṣṭvā mahīdharam, ghaṭotkacaṁ vā añjana-rāśi-samam kāla-parvata-bhūtaṁ jharair bhayaṅkarāstrāṇi śastrāṇi ca pravāhayantam api dṛṣṭvā karṇasya manasi tan-mātraṁ kṣobho nābhavat | sa tu smayamāna iva divyāstram āvirbabhāva |
Sanjaya said: Seeing that mountain-like Ghaṭotkaca—dark as a heap of collyrium, like a black peak—pouring forth dreadful missiles and weapons as if in torrents, Karṇa’s mind was not shaken in the least. Rather, with a faint smile, he revealed and readied his divine weapon.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadiness under threat: even amid terrifying displays of force, Karṇa remains unshaken and acts with controlled resolve. Ethically, it underscores composure and disciplined action in crisis, rather than panic or cruelty.
Ghaṭotkaca appears as a fearsome, mountain-like figure, unleashing weapons in overwhelming streams. Karṇa, instead of being disturbed, stays calm and smilingly brings forth a divine weapon to counter him.