Shloka 145
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
द्रोणपुत्रके मस्तकपर अस्त्रोंकी वह बड़ी भारी वर्षा होती देख आपके समस्त सैनिक व्यथित हो उठे ।। द्रोणपुत्रस्तु विक्रान्तस्तद् वर्ष घोरमुच्छितम् । शरैरविध्वंसयामास वज्रकल्पै: शिलाशितै:,पंरतु पराक्रमी द्रोणकुमारने शिलापर तेज किये हुए अपने वज्रोपम बाणोंद्वारा वहाँ प्रकट हुई उस भयंकर अस्त्र-वर्षाका विध्वंस कर डाला
sañjaya uvāca | droṇaputrake mastakapar astrāṇāṃ sā baḍī bhārī varṣā hotī dekh āpake samasta sainik vyathita ho uṭhe || droṇaputras tu vikrāntas tad varṣa ghoraṃ mucchitam | śarair avidhvaṃsayāmāsa vajrakalpaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ ||
सञ्जय उवाच—द्रोणपुत्रस्य मूर्धनि तां महतीं शरवृष्टिं पतन्तीं दृष्ट्वा तव सर्वे सैनिकाः व्यथिताः। द्रोणपुत्रस्तु विक्रान्तः तद् वर्षं घोरम् उच्छ्रितं वज्रकल्पैः शिलाशितैः शरैः अविध्वंसयामास।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadiness and trained resolve in crisis: while armies may panic at overwhelming force, a disciplined warrior meets danger with presence of mind and skill. Ethically, it also reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension—heroic competence can be morally ambiguous when it serves an escalating cycle of violence.
A terrifying rain of weapons is directed at Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāmā, causing the Kaurava troops to become distressed. Aśvatthāmā, however, counters effectively, breaking up that missile-shower with powerful, stone-honed, thunderbolt-like arrows.