Shloka 57
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
नाकुलिस्तु शतानीको रथचक्रेण वीर्यवान् । दोर्भ्यामुत्क्षिप्प वेगेन वक्षस्येनमताडयत्,इसके बाद नकुलके पराक्रमी पुत्र शतानीकने अपनी दोनों भुजाओंसे रथचक्रको उठाकर उसके द्वारा बड़े वेगसे अश्वत्थामाकी छातीपर प्रहार किया
nākulis tu śatānīko rathacakreṇa vīryavān | dorbhyām utkṣipya vegeṇa vakṣasy enam atāḍayat ||
Sañjaya said: Then Śatānīka, the valiant son of Nakula, seized a chariot-wheel with both arms, lifted it up, and with great force struck him on the chest.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war—especially the lawless terror of the Sauptika episode—pushes warriors toward impulsive, improvised brutality. It implicitly contrasts disciplined dharma-yuddha ideals with the breakdown of restraint when vengeance and survival dominate.
Sañjaya narrates that Śatānīka, Nakula’s son, lifts a chariot-wheel with both arms and strikes Aśvatthāman on the chest with great force during the violent confrontation of the Sauptika events.