Shloka 13
एवमुक्त: स राज्ञा तु राक्षसो भीमविक्रम: । तथेत्युक्त्वा महाबाहुर्घटोत्कचमुपाद्रवत्,राजा दुर्योधनके ऐसा कहनेपर उस भयंकर पराक्रमी महाबाहु राक्षसने “बहुत अच्छा' कहकर घटोत्कचपर धावा किया
evam uktaḥ sa rājñā tu rākṣaso bhīmavikramaḥ | tathety uktvā mahābāhur ghaṭotkacam upādravat |
Sañjaya said: Thus addressed by the king, that rākṣasa of dreadful prowess, the mighty-armed one, replied, “So be it,” and at once rushed to attack Ghaṭotkaca. The verse underscores the grim momentum of war: a royal command is accepted without hesitation, and personal valor is immediately converted into violent action on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, authority and allegiance can override reflection: a king’s directive is accepted instantly, and valor becomes immediate aggression. Ethically, it invites scrutiny of obedience in violent contexts—whether duty to a leader aligns with broader dharma.
Sañjaya narrates that, after being instructed by the king (Duryodhana), a formidable rākṣasa warrior agrees—saying “tathā”—and charges straight at Ghaṭotkaca, escalating the combat around Bhīma’s powerful son.