Shloka 666
भीष्मशिबिरगमनम् — Duryodhana’s Visit to Bhīṣma’s Camp and the Command Appeal
परश्चवधेन तीक्ष्णेन चिच्छेद च पुन: पुन: । इस प्रकार उस राक्षसका जो-जो अंग कटता, वह पुनः नये सिरेसे उत्पन्न हो जाता था। इरावान् भी अत्यन्त कुपित होकर उस महाबली राक्षसको बारंबार तीखे फरसेसे काटने लगा
sañjaya uvāca | paraśvadhena tīkṣṇena ciccheda ca punaḥ punaḥ |
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Sa matalim na palakol-pandigma ay paulit-ulit niyang pinuputol. Ngunit sa tuwing mapuputol ang alinmang bahagi ng rākṣasa, muli itong sumusibol na parang bago. Si Irāvān man, naglalagablab sa galit, ay sunod-sunod na humahataw at humihiwa sa makapangyarihang rākṣasa sa talim ng kanyang palakol.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights steadfast effort in the face of seemingly invincible adversity: a warrior continues his duty without yielding, even when ordinary means appear ineffective. Ethically, it underscores kṣatriya-dharma—courage and persistence in protecting one’s side amid the chaos of war.
Sañjaya describes Irāvān repeatedly striking a powerful rākṣasa with a sharp axe. Each time a limb is cut off, it regenerates, intensifying the struggle and showcasing both the rākṣasa’s uncanny power and Irāvān’s relentless fury and valor.