Shloka 100
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
विचेतस: सनिद्राश्न तमसा चावृता नरा:
vicetasaḥ sanidrāś ca tamasā cāvṛtā narāḥ
Sañjaya said: The men were bewildered; they were drowsy and enveloped by darkness—unable to think clearly or respond with alertness in that moment.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how tamas—darkness, inertia, and confusion—can overwhelm human discernment, making people vulnerable to harm and moral failure; it implicitly values vigilance and clarity of mind, especially in ethically charged situations like war.
In the Sauptika Parva’s night-time context, Sañjaya describes the condition of the men as confused and drowsy, covered by darkness—setting the scene for events where reduced awareness and night conditions shape what follows.