Shloka 101
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
रथाक्षमात्रैरिषुभिर भ्यवर्षद् घटोत्कच: । रथिनामृषभं द्रौणिं धाराभिरिव तोयद:,जैसे बादल पर्वतपर जलकी धारा बरसाता है, उसी प्रकार घटोत्कच रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अश्वत्थामापर रथकी धुरीके समान मोटे बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगा
rathākṣamātrair iṣubhir abhyavarṣad ghaṭotkacaḥ | rathinām ṛṣabhaṃ drauṇiṃ dhārābhir iva toyadaḥ ||
सञ्जय उवाच—घटोत्कचो द्रौणिं रथिनामृषभं रथाक्षमात्रैरिषुभिर्भ्यवर्षत्। तोयदो यथा गिरिमभितो धाराभिर्वर्षति, तथैव स रणमध्ये बाणवृष्टिं मुमोच॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war amplifies extremes—might, anger, and retaliation—often overwhelming moderation. Ethically, it points to the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension: kṣatriya valor and duty in battle can coexist with destructive excess, urging reflection on the cost of unchecked fury.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca launching a massive barrage of very thick arrows at Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son), likening the attack to a rain-cloud pouring down torrents—signaling an intense escalation in the night-battle atmosphere of the Droṇa Parva.