Shloka 18
Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā
तमापतन्तं स विलक्ष्य दूरात् कुमारहोद्विग्नमना रथेन । पराद्रवत्प्राणपरीप्सुरुर्व्यां यावद्गमं रुद्रभयाद्यथा क: ॥ १८ ॥
tam āpatantaṁ sa vilakṣya dūrāt kumāra-hodvigna-manā rathena parādravat prāṇa-parīpsur urvyāṁ yāvad-gamaṁ rudra-bhayād yathā kaḥ
രാജകുമാരന്മാരുടെ ഘാതകനായ അശ്വത്ഥാമാവ്, അർജ്ജുനൻ അതിവേഗത്തിൽ തന്റെ നേരെ വരുന്നത് ദൂരെ നിന്ന് തന്നെ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ, രുദ്രനെ (ശിവനെ) ഭയന്ന് ബ്രഹ്മാവ് ഓടിയകന്നതുപോലെ, ജീവൻ രക്ഷിക്കാൻ തന്റെ രഥത്തിൽ പാഞ്ഞുപോയി.
According to the reading matter, either kaḥ or arkaḥ, there are two references in the Purāṇas. Kaḥ means Brahmā, who once became allured by his daughter and began to follow her, which infuriated Śiva, who attacked Brahmā with his trident. Brahmājī fled in fear of his life. As far as arkaḥ is concerned, there is a reference in the Vāmana Purāṇa. There was a demon by the name Vidyunmālī who was gifted with a glowing golden airplane which traveled to the back of the sun, and night disappeared because of the glowing effulgence of this plane. Thus the sun-god became angry, and with his virulent rays he melted the plane. This enraged Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva then attacked the sun-god, who fled away and at last fell down at Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), and the place became famous as Lolārka.
FAQs
It describes Aśvatthāmā fleeing in his chariot, terrified and desperate to save his life, after being seen from afar by his pursuer.
Because he had committed a grave offense (killing the sleeping sons), and now faced immediate retribution; his fear is compared to one fleeing in terror of Rudra.
Wrong actions create fear and instability; living ethically and responsibly reduces inner agitation and the panic that follows harmful choices.