Shloka 160
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
द्रौणेस्तत् कर्म दृष्टवा तु सर्वभूतान्यपूजयन् | यदवप्लुत्य जग्राह घोरां शड़करनिर्मिताम्,अश्वत्थामाने भगवान् शंकरद्वारा निर्मित उस भयंकर अशनिको जो उछलकर पकड़ लिया, उसके उस कर्मको देखकर समस्त प्राणियोंने उसकी भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा की
drauṇes tat karma dṛṣṭvā tu sarvabhūtāny apūjayan | yad avaplutyajagrāha ghorāṃ śaṅkaranirmitām ||
द्रौणेस्तत्कर्म दृष्ट्वा तु सर्वभूतान्यपूजयन् । यदवप्लुत्य जग्राह घोरां शङ्करनिर्मिताम् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary martial prowess can win universal acclaim, yet it also implicitly warns that proximity to divinely sourced power (Śaṅkara’s weapon) demands restraint and ethical discernment; praise does not automatically equal righteousness.
Sañjaya reports that Aśvatthāman performs a striking feat: he leaps forward and grasps a terrifying missile described as fashioned by Śaṅkara. Witnessing this, all beings applaud his act.