Shloka 163
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
ततो मुमोच नाराचान् द्रौणिस्तांश्व॒ सहस्रशः | तावप्यग्निशिखप्रख्यैर्जघ्नतुस्तस्य मार्गणान्,तब अभश्वत्थामाने भी उनपर सहस्रों नाराच चलाये। धृष्टद्युम्म और घटोत्कचने भी अग्निशिखाके समान तेजस्वी बाणोंद्वारा अश्वत्थामाके नाराचोंको काट डाला
tato mumoca nārācān drauṇis tāñ śata-sahasraśaḥ | tāv apy agni-śikhā-prakhyair jaghnatus tasya mārgānān ||
सञ्जय उवाच—ततो द्रौणिः सहस्रशो नाराचान् मुमोच; तावपि अग्निशिखाप्रख्यैः शरैस्तस्य मार्गणान् जघ्नतुः।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a violent setting, the episode highlights disciplined agency: skilled warriors are expected to counter a harmful barrage effectively, limiting damage to the wider force. Martial excellence here functions as a form of responsibility—checking excess destruction rather than letting it spread.
Aśvatthāman unleashes massive volleys of nārāca arrows. Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Ghaṭotkaca respond by cutting down those incoming missiles with blazing, fire-like arrows, neutralizing the attack mid-flight.