Shloka 193
तस्यां वीरापहारिण्यां निशायां कर्णम भ्ययात् । वीरोंका संहार करनेवाली उस रात्रिमें इन्द्रके वज़्की भाँति भयानक टंकार करनेवाले और सुदृढ़ प्रत्यंचावाले एक हाथ चौड़े एवं बारह अरत्नि लंबे धनुषको खींचता और रथके धुरेके समान मोटे बाणोंसे सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंको आच्छादित करता हुआ घटोत्कच ([पूर्वोक्त रथपर आरूढ़ हो) कर्णकी ओर चला
tasyāṃ vīrāpahāriṇyāṃ niśāyāṃ karṇam abhyayāt | indrasya vajravat bhayānaka-ṭaṅkāra-kṛt sudṛḍha-pratyañcāvataṃ eka-hasta-pramāṇaṃ dvādaśa-aratni-dīrghaṃ dhanuḥ ākarṣayan ratha-dhura-sama-sthūlaiḥ bāṇaiḥ sarvā diśaḥ ācchādayan ghaṭotkacaḥ (pūrvokta-ratha-parārūḍhaḥ) karṇasya samīpam jagāma ||
तस्यां वीरापहारिण्यां निशायां कर्णमभ्ययात्। इन्द्रवज्रनिनादं घोरं कृत्वा दृढप्रत्यञ्चया, हस्तप्रमाणविस्तीर्णं द्वादशारत्निदीर्घं धनुः समाकृष्य, रथाक्षसमस्थूलैर्बाणैर्दिशः सर्वा आच्छादयन्, पूर्वोक्तरथमारूढो घटोत्कचः कर्णस्याभिमुखो जगाम।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war—especially at night—becomes a consuming force that ‘steals’ even the brave; extraordinary power and fearsome display do not automatically imply righteousness, and the narrative invites reflection on the moral cost of battle conducted under conditions that magnify terror and confusion.
Sañjaya describes Ghaṭotkaca, mounted on his chariot, advancing toward Karṇa in a deadly night. He draws a massive bow with a thunderbolt-like twang and showers thick arrows in all directions, signaling the escalation of the nocturnal combat and the imminent clash with Karṇa.