Shloka 86
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
पुनश्न सुविचित्रेण शतचन्द्रेण चर्मणा । तेन चाकाशवर्णेन तथाचरत सो5डसिना,फिर वह सौ चन्द्राकार चिह्नोंसे युक्त विचित्र ढाल और आकाशके रंगवाली चमचमाती तलवार लेकर सब ओर विचरने लगा
punaś ca suvicitreṇa śatacandreṇa carmaṇā | tena cākāśavarṇena tathācarata so 'siṇā ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Entonces, una vez más, se movió en todas direcciones, llevando un escudo ricamente ornamentado, marcado con cien emblemas de luna, y una espada refulgente de tono semejante al cielo.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, once moral restraint breaks in war, attention shifts to weapons, intimidation, and relentless pursuit. It implicitly warns that martial prowess and splendid arms do not justify actions when dharma has been transgressed—especially in the nocturnal, deceptive violence characteristic of the Sauptika episode.
In Sañjaya’s report, the warrior continues roaming about, equipped with an ornate shield bearing many moon-like emblems and a shining, sky-hued sword—signaling ongoing movement and readiness to strike as the night-time violence proceeds.