Shloka 148
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
ते राक्षसा: सुसंक्रुद्धा द्रोणपुत्रेण ताडिता: । क्रुद्धा: सम प्राद्रवन् दौणिं जिघांसन्तो महाबला:
te rākṣasāḥ susaṁkruddhā droṇaputreṇa tāḍitāḥ | kruddhāḥ sama-prādravan dauṇiṁ jighāṁsanto mahābalāḥ ||
ते राक्षसाः सुसंक्रुद्धा द्रोणपुत्रेण ताडिताः । क्रुद्धाः समं प्राद्रवन् द्रौणिं जिघांसन्तो महाबलाः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical pattern in warfare: being harmed provokes anger, and anger fuels the intention to kill. It implicitly warns how unchecked wrath turns conflict into a cycle of retaliation, eclipsing discernment and restraint.
After being struck by Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāman (Drauṇi), the rākṣasa fighters become intensely enraged and charge at him together, aiming to slay him.