Shloka 2.9.13
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च (Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons)
स शम्बर इति ख्यातश्शतमायो महासुरः।ददौ शक्रस्य सङ्ग्रामं देवसङ्घैरनिर्जितः।।।।
tasmin mahati saṅgrāme puruṣān kṣatavikṣatān | rātrau prasuptān ghnanti sma tarasā āsādya rākṣasāḥ ||
In that great battle, the rākṣasas would rush in by night and slaughter the warriors—those already wounded and those asleep.
That mighty asura well-known as Sambara, capable of a hundred deceitful forms, challenged Indra to a battle which could not be conquered by hosts of gods.
It contrasts dharmic combat with adharma: attacking the sleeping and badly wounded is portrayed as ruthless, violating the spirit of righteous conduct.
The war turns brutal at night as rākṣasas exploit vulnerability, escalating danger for the allied forces.
The need for vigilance and protective responsibility toward weakened comrades.