Shloka 73
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
विहतायां तु मायायाममर्षी स घटोत्कच: । विससर्ज शरान् घोरांस्ते5श्वत्थामानमाविशन्,माया नष्ट हो जानेपर अमर्षमें भरे हुए घटोत्कचने बड़े भयंकर बाण छोड़े। वे सभी बाण अभश्वृत्थामाके शरीरमें घुस गये
vihatāyāṃ tu māyāyām amarṣī sa ghaṭotkacaḥ | visasarja śarān ghorāṃs te ’śvatthāmānam āviśan ||
विहतायां तु मायायाममर्षी स घटोत्कचः । विससर्ज शरान् घोरांस्तेऽश्वत्थामानमाविशन् ॥
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical tension in the Mahābhārata: when deception (māyā) fails, warriors often revert to raw anger and direct violence. It cautions that unchecked indignation (amarṣa) fuels retaliation and deepens the destructive momentum of war.
After Ghaṭotkaca’s magical stratagem is neutralized, he becomes enraged and shoots a fierce barrage of arrows at Aśvatthāmā; the arrows penetrate Aśvatthāmā’s body.