Shloka 68
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
घटोत्कचप्रयुक्तेन सिंहनादेन भीषिता: । प्रसुखरुवुर्गजा मूत्र विव्यथुश्न नरा भूशम्,घटोत्कचके द्वारा किये हुए सिंहनादसे भयभीत हो हाथियोंके पेशाब झड़ने लगे और मनुष्य भी अत्यन्त व्यथित हो उठे
sañjaya uvāca | ghaṭotkaca-prayuktena siṃha-nādena bhīṣitāḥ | prasusravur gajā mūtraṃ vivyathuś ca narā bhṛśam ||
サञ्जयは言った。ガトートカチャが放った獅子のごとき咆哮に脅え、象たちは恐怖のあまり尿を漏らし、人々もまた激しく動揺して甚だしく苦しんだ—戦の猛威のただ中で、恐慌が隊列に広がりつつあるという不吉な徴であった。
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear can rapidly destabilize even strong forces in war: psychological shock—here symbolized by Ghaṭotkaca’s terrifying roar—can break morale, producing visible signs of panic. Ethically, it underscores the destructive spread of terror in conflict and the vulnerability of armies to mental collapse.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca unleashing a thunderous, lion-like battle-cry. The sound terrifies the battlefield: elephants show fear by involuntary urination, and human warriors become severely shaken and distressed, indicating a moment of widespread panic.