Shloka 59
घटोत्कचका शरीर पहलेसे ही दिव्य नाग, मनुष्य और राक्षससम्बन्धी नाना प्रकारके अस्त्रसमूहोंद्वारा छिन्न-भिन्न हो गया था। वह विविध प्रकारसे भयंकर आर्तनाद करता हुआ इन्द्रशक्तिके प्रभावसे अपने प्यारे प्राणोंसे वंचित हो गया। इदं चान्यच्चित्रमाश्चर्यरूपं चकारासौ कर्म शत्रुक्षयाय । तस्मिन् काले शक्तिनिर्भिन्निमर्मा बभौ राजन् शैलमेघप्रकाश:,राजन! मरते समय उसने शत्रुओंका संहार करनेके लिये यह दूसरा विचित्र एवं आश्चर्ययुक्त कर्म किया। यद्यपि शक्तिके प्रहारसे उसके मर्मस्थल विदीर्ण हो चुके थे तो भी वह अपना शरीर बढ़ाकर पर्वत और मेघके समान लंबा-चौड़ा प्रतीत होने लगा
sañjaya uvāca | idaṃ cānyac citram āścaryarūpaṃ cakārāsau karma śatrukṣayāya | tasmin kāle śaktinirbhinnimarmā babhau rājan śailameghaprakāśaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “And then, in yet another strange and wondrous way, he performed a deed meant to destroy the enemy. At that moment—though his vital points had been torn open by the spear—he appeared, O King, vast and towering like a mountain and a mass of cloud.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in defeat, intention and resolve matter: the verse highlights a final, purposeful act aimed at protecting one’s side and weakening the enemy. It also underscores the awe-inspiring, often morally complex power of divine weapons in war—where victory can hinge on extraordinary means rather than mere strength.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca after being struck by the śakti: though mortally pierced, he expands his body to appear immense like a mountain-cloud, performing a final astonishing act intended to cause further destruction among the foes.