Shloka 15
राक्षसो<स्य विरूपाक्ष: सूतो दीप्तास्यकुण्डल:,दीप्तिमान् मुख और कुण्डलोंसे युक्त विरूपाक्ष नामक राक्षस घटोत्कचका सारथि था, जो रणभूमिमें सूर्युकी किरणोंके समान चमकीली बागडोर पकड़कर उन घोड़ोंको काबूमें रखता था। उसके साथ रथपर बैठा हुआ घटोत्कच ऐसा जान पड़ता था, मानो अरुण नामक सारथिके साथ सूर्यदेव अपने रथपर विराजमान हों
sañjaya uvāca | rākṣaso 'sya virūpākṣaḥ sūto dīptāsyakuṇḍalaḥ |
सञ्जय उवाच—अस्य सूतो राक्षसो विरूपाक्षो नाम, दीप्तास्यकुण्डलः। स सूर्यकिरणसदृश्या दीप्त्या रश्मिभिः प्रगृह्य रथाश्वान् सुसंयम्य धारयामास। तेन सारथिना सह रथे स्थितो घटोत्कचोऽरुणेन सह रथस्थ इव रविः, सूर्यदेव इव च, समरेऽतिभीषणं तेजो बिभ्रत् प्रादृश्यत।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it underscores how outward splendor and martial control (a skilled charioteer, disciplined horses) amplify a warrior’s perceived might. Ethically, it reminds the listener that war magnifies appearances and fear, and that power is often communicated through symbols and comparisons, not only through deeds.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca’s chariot as it enters the battle scene: his rākṣasa charioteer Virūpākṣa, radiant in appearance, holds the shining reins and controls the horses. The pair is compared to the Sun-god riding with Aruṇa, emphasizing Ghaṭotkaca’s terrifying, radiant presence on the battlefield.