Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
अन्योन्यं सम्परिष्वज्य शयानान् द्रवतो5परान् | संलीनान् युद्धयमानांश्व सर्वान् द्रौणिरपोथयत्
anyonyam sampariṣvajya śayānān dravatoparān | saṃlīnān yuddhayamānāṃś ca sarvān drauṇir apothayat ||
কিছুমান পৰস্পৰক আঁকোৱালি ধৰি শুই আছিল, কিছুমান ভয়ত দৌৰি পলাইছিল; কিছুমান লুকাই আছিল, আৰু কিছুমান যুদ্ধ কৰিবলৈ চেষ্টা কৰিছিল—দ্ৰোণপুত্ৰ অশ্বত্থামাই সকলোকে নিধন কৰিলে।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how war can descend into adharma when restraint and rules collapse—especially in a night raid where the vulnerable (sleeping, fleeing, hiding) are killed. It invites reflection on ethical limits in conflict and the consequences of vengeance-driven violence.
Sañjaya describes the chaos in the camp during Aśvatthāman’s nocturnal assault: some warriors lie embracing in sleep, some run, some hide, some try to fight; Aśvatthāman cuts them all down indiscriminately.