Shloka 373
निचकर्त महाराज शत्रोरमितविक्रम: । महाराज! तब अमितपराक्रमी घटोत्कचने हि त दिखायी देनेवाली अपनी तलवार उठाकर समरांगणमें अत्यन्त भयंकर गर्जना करते और उछल-कूद मचाते हुए शत्रु अलम्बुषके भयंकर एवं विकराल मस्तकको उस भयानक राक्षसकी कायासे काटकर अलग कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca | nicakarta mahārāja śatror amitavikramaḥ | mahārāja! tadā amitaparākramaḥ ghaṭotkacaḥ samaraṅgaṇe dṛśyamānāṃ svāṃ asiṃ samutkṣipya paramaṃ bhairavaṃ nādaṃ kṛtvā plavanasampātaṃ ca kurvan śatror alambuṣasya bhīṣaṇaṃ vikarālaṃ mastakaṃ tasya bhayānakasya rākṣasasya kāyāt chittvā pṛthak cakāra ||
サンジャヤは言った。「大王よ！ そのとき、計り知れぬ武勇をもつガトートカチャは、戦場にて剣を高く掲げた。恐るべき咆哮を放ち、跳躍して敵を惑わせつつ、彼は敵アランブシャを討ち、あの羅刹の猛々しく醜怪な首を胴から断ち切って離した。戦の苛烈な掟のもと、この一撃は羅刹の戦士が有する圧倒的な武威を示す。勝利は説得によらず、断乎たる、畏るべき力によってのみ確保されるのである。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh moral landscape of war: when conflict is chosen and escalated, outcomes are often decided by overwhelming force rather than dialogue. It also highlights how prowess and fear can function as tactical instruments, even when the act itself is grim.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Ghaṭotkaca, roaring and leaping in a terrifying display, raises his sword and decapitates the enemy rākṣasa Alambuṣa, cutting his head from his body on the battlefield.