Shloka 61
इस प्रकार विशाल रूप धारण करके विदीर्ण शरीरवाला राक्षसराज घटोत्कच नीचे सिर करके प्राणशून्य हो आकाशसे पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ा। उस समय उसका अंग-अंग अकड़ गया था और जीभ बाहर निकल आयी थी ।। स तद् रूप॑ भैरवं भीमकर्मा भीम कृत्वा भैमसेनि: पपात । हतो&प्येवं तव सैन्यैकदेश- मपोथयत् स्वेन देहेन राजन्,महाराज! भयंकर कर्म करनेवाला भीमसेनपुत्र घटोत्कव अपना वह भीषण रूप बनाकर नीचे गिरा। इस प्रकार मरकर भी उसने अपने शरीरसे आपकी सेनाके एक भागको कुचलकर मार डाला
sa tad rūpaṁ bhairavaṁ bhīmakarmā bhīmaṁ kṛtvā bhaimaseniḥ papāta | hato 'py evaṁ tava sainyaikadeśam apothayat svena dehena rājan ||
Sañjaya said: Having assumed that terrifying, formidable form, Ghaṭotkaca—the mighty son of Bhīmasena—fell headlong, his life gone. Even in death, O King, his huge body crashed down upon a portion of your army and crushed it, so that he continued to destroy the foe even after being slain. The scene underscores the grim ethic of war in which power and sacrifice are expended to protect one’s side, yet the cost is borne by countless soldiers caught beneath the violence of heroes.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: a warrior’s duty may demand total self-offering, and even a hero’s death can have sweeping consequences. It invites reflection on the ethical weight of war—victory is purchased through immense suffering, often extending beyond the moment of killing.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca, in a terrifying enlarged form, falling lifeless from the sky. As his massive body hits the ground, it crushes a section of the Kaurava forces, so that he continues to inflict destruction even after being slain.