Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
द्रुपदस्य च पुत्राणां पौत्राणां सुहदामपि । चकार कदनं घोरें दृष्टवा दृष्टवा महाबल:
drupadasya ca putrāṇāṁ pautrāṇāṁ suhṛdām api | cakāra kadanaṁ ghoraṁ dṛṣṭvā dṛṣṭvā mahābalaḥ ||
તે મહાબળીએ વારંવાર જોઈ જોઈને દ્રુપદના પુત્રો, પૌત્રો અને તેમના સુહૃદોનું પણ ભયંકર કત્લેઆમ કર્યું.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how unrestrained rage in war leads to indiscriminate killing—extending beyond primary foes to their kin and companions—signaling a fall from dharma into adharma and intensifying the moral tragedy of the conflict.
Sañjaya reports that a mighty warrior, after repeatedly spotting targets in the camp, commits a horrific massacre, cutting down Drupada’s sons, grandsons, and their associates—part of the Sauptika episode’s night-time carnage.