Shloka 34
Aśvatthāmā’s Stuti of Rudra and Śiva’s Empowerment (सौप्तिकपर्व, अध्याय ७)
लड्घन्त: प्लवन्तश्न वल्गन्तश्न॒ महारथा: । धावन्तो जवना मुण्डा: पवनोद्धूतमूर्धजा:
laṅghantaḥ plavantaś ca valgantaś ca mahārathāḥ | dhāvanto javanā muṇḍāḥ pavanoddhūtamūrdhajāḥ ||
Para kesatria-kereta yang perkasa—laksana gerombolan yang mengamuk—melompati rintangan, meloncat, dan berjingkrak. Mereka menerjang dengan kecepatan besar; sebagian berkepala gundul, sementara rambut sebagian lain terangkat ke atas oleh hembusan angin.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war—especially in the lawless atmosphere of night violence—can devolve into chaotic, dehumanizing frenzy. It implicitly contrasts disciplined kṣatriya conduct with the terrifying momentum of adharma when restraint and ethical boundaries collapse.
Sañjaya describes a terrifying host of powerful fighters (or warrior-like beings) rushing about—leaping, jumping, and running at great speed. Their appearance is striking: some are shaven-headed, and others have hair blown upward by the wind, heightening the ominous, uncanny atmosphere of the Sauptika episode.