Shloka 123
वेगेनाविध्य चिक्षेप द्रोणपुत्ररथं प्रति । धनुष कट जानेपर बलवान भीमसेनने द्रोणपुत्रके रथपर एक भयंकर रथशक्ति बड़े वेगसे घुमाकर फेंकी ।। तामापतन्तीं सहसा महोल्काभां शितै: शरै:
sañjaya uvāca |
vegenāvidhya cikṣepa droṇaputrarathaṃ prati |
dhanuṣ-kaṭa-jānena parabalavān bhīmasenena droṇaputrasya rathopari ekā bhayaṅkarā rathaśaktir mahāvegena bhrāmayitvā kṣiptā ||
tām āpatantīṃ sahasā maholkābhāṃ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った――凄まじい力をもって、剛力にして弓術に長けたビーマセーナは、恐るべき戦車槍を大きく回転させ、ドローナの子の戦車めがけて投げ放った。それは燃えさかる流星のごとく急降下したが、飛翔のただ中で鋭い矢に迎え撃たれた。この光景は戦の陰惨な激烈さを示す。技は遊戯のためではなく生存のためにあり、暴力の一撃は即座に反撃を招く。破壊のただ中でこそ、節制と技量と責任が戦の倫理の重みとなるのである。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh ethical reality of battlefield dharma: power must be governed by skill and responsibility. Even a terrifying weapon is answered by disciplined counteraction, suggesting that in war, restraint and mastery (not mere rage) are what keep one aligned with kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma hurling a fearsome chariot-spear at Aśvatthāman’s chariot. The missile, likened to a blazing meteor, is immediately confronted with sharp arrows, indicating an attempt to intercept or neutralize it mid-flight.