Shloka 144
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
तच्छस्त्रवर्ष सुमहद् द्रोणपुत्रस्य मूर्थनि । पतमानं समीक्ष्याथ योधास्ते व्यथिताभवन्
tac chastravarṣa sumahad droṇaputrasya mūrdhani | patamānaṃ samīkṣyātha yodhās te vyathitābhavan ||
सञ्जय उवाच—तच्छस्त्रवर्षं सुमहद् द्रोणपुत्रस्य मूर्धनि पतमानं समीक्ष्य, ते योधाः व्यथिताः अभवन्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the human cost of war: when violence becomes excessive and concentrated, even hardened warriors experience inner disturbance. It implicitly cautions that martial duty (kṣatriya-dharma) does not erase moral sensitivity; the mind still recoils at overwhelming harm.
Sañjaya reports that a massive barrage of weapons is seen falling upon Droṇa’s son, Aśvatthāman. Witnessing this, the surrounding warriors become agitated and distressed, indicating the intensity and peril of the moment on the battlefield.