Shloka 23
Book 10, Adhyāya 12: Aśvatthāmā’s Request for the Cakra and the Brahmaśiras Context
गृहाण चक्रमित्युक्तो मया तु तदनन्तरम् | जग्राहोत्पत्य सहसा चक्रं सवब्येन पाणिना
gṛhāṇa cakram ity ukto mayā tu tad-anantaram | jagrāhotpatya sahasā cakraṃ savyena pāṇinā | sarva-yatna-balena api gṛhṇann evam idaṃ tataḥ | tataḥ sarva-balena api yad enaṃ na śaśāka ha |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang sabihin ko sa kanya, “Kunin mo ang diskos,” siya’y agad na tumalun at sinunggaban ang gulong-diskos sa kaliwang kamay. Ngunit kahit ibinuhos niya ang lahat ng pagsisikap at lakas, hindi niya ito maitaas ni maigalaw. Nang sa kabila ng buong puwersa’y hindi pa rin niya makuha, ang anak ni Droṇa ay nagdalamhati sa loob; at nang mapagod sa pagpilit, tumigil siya sa tangkang dalhin iyon.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the limits of brute strength: when desire and aggression exceed rightful capacity or moral restraint, effort alone cannot secure success, and frustration follows.
After being told to take the cakra, Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāmā) impulsively grabs it with his left hand and strains with all his might, but cannot lift or move it; exhausted and distressed, he gives up the attempt.