Shloka 164
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
अतितीव्रं महद् युद्ध तयो: पुरुषसिंहयो: । योधानां प्रीतिजनन द्रौणेक्ष भरतर्षभ,भरतश्रेष्ठ! उन दोनों पुरुषसिंहों तथा अश्वत्थामाका वह अत्यन्त उग्र और महान् युद्ध समस्त योद्धाओंका हर्ष बढ़ा रहा था
atītīvraṁ mahad yuddhaṁ tayoḥ puruṣasiṁhayoḥ | yodhānāṁ prītijananaṁ drauṇekṣa bharatarṣabha ||
सञ्जय उवाच—अतितीव्रं महद् युद्धं तयोः पुरुषसिंहयोः; योधानां प्रीतिजननं, द्रौणे, भरतर्षभ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension in epic warfare: even when battle is deadly, warriors may experience exhilaration at displays of valor. It invites reflection on how dharma framed as ‘heroic duty’ can become entangled with the enjoyment of violence, and why discernment is needed amid martial ideals.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a very fierce, great fight is underway between two outstanding warriors. The combat, observed in the presence of Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son), is energizing and pleasing the other fighters, who are stirred by the spectacle of prowess.