Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
गदामुद्यम्य वेगेन हृदि द्रौणिमताडयत् । उत्तमौजाको राक्षसद्वारा मारा गया समझकर युधामन्यु भी वहाँ आ पहुँचा। उसने बड़े वेगसे गदा उठाकर अश्वत्थामाकी छातीमें प्रहार किया
gadām udyamya vegena hṛdi drauṇim atāḍayat |
Sañjaya said: Believing that Uttamaujā had been slain by the rākṣasa at the doorway, Yudhāmanyu arrived there as well. With great speed he lifted his mace and struck Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāmā) upon the chest. The episode underscores the chaos of night-war, where grief and misperception drive immediate, violent retaliation rather than deliberated dharmic restraint.
संजय उवाच