Shloka 171
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
निकत्तैहस्तिहस्तैश्न विचलद्धिरितस्तत: । रराज वसुधा कीर्णा विसर्पद्धिरिवोरगै:,हाथियोंके शुण्ड कटकर इधर-उधर छटपटा रहे थे। उनसे ढकी हुई पृथ्वी रेंगते हुए सर्पोंसे आच्छादित हुई-सी शोभा पा रही थी
nikṛttaiḥ hastihastaiś ca vicaladbhir itas tataḥ | rarāja vasudhā kīrṇā visarpadbhir ivoragaiḥ ||
निकृत्तैर्हस्तिहस्तैश्च विचलद्भिरितस्ततः । रराज वसुधा कीर्णा विसर्पद्भिरिवोरगैः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse offers a stark ethical reflection through imagery: war can make even horror appear ‘splendid’ as mere spectacle, reminding the listener to discern the moral reality beneath outward grandeur and to recognize the suffering and loss that violence produces.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield after intense fighting: severed elephant trunks lie scattered and still writhe, making the ground look as though it is covered with crawling snakes.