Shloka 138
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
घटोत्कचस्य तामाज्ञां प्रतिगृह्माथ राक्षसा: | देष्टोज्ज्वला महावकत्रा घोररूपा भयानका:,हन्तुमभ्यद्रवन् द्रौणिं नानाप्रहरणायुधा: । घटोत्कचकी उस आज्ञाको शिरोधार्य करके दाढ़ोंसे प्रकाशित, विशाल मुखवाले, घोर रूपधारी, फै ले मुँह और डरावनी जीभवाले भयानक राक्षस क्रोधसे लाल आँखें किये महान् सिंहनादसे पृथ्वीको प्रतिध्वनित करते हुए हाथोंमें भाँति-भाँतिके अस्त्र-शस्त्र ले अश्वत्थामाको मार डालनेके लिये उसपर टूट पड़े
sañjaya uvāca |
ghaṭotkacasya tām ājñāṃ pratigṛhya atha rākṣasāḥ |
daṃṣṭrojjvalā mahāvaktrā ghorarūpā bhayānakāḥ |
hantum abhyadravan drauṇiṃ nānā-praharaṇāyudhāḥ ||
घटोत्कचस्य तामाज्ञां प्रतिगृह्याथ राक्षसाः। दंष्ट्रोज्ज्वला महावक्त्रा घोररूपा भयानकाः॥ हन्तुमभ्यद्रवन् द्रौणिं नानाप्रहरणायुधाः॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how wartime obedience to a commander’s order can unleash terrifying, near-unchecked violence. It invites reflection on ethical responsibility: even when acting under command, the intention to kill and the means employed carry moral weight.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca’s rākṣasa forces accepting his order and charging toward Aśvatthāman (Droṇa’s son), armed with many kinds of weapons, with the explicit aim of killing him.