Shloka 61
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
तेन शब्देन वीरस्तु श्रुतकीर्ति्महारथ: । अश्वत्थामानमासाद्य शरवर्षरवाकिरत्,वह कोलाहल सुनकर वीर महारथी श्रुतकीर्ति अश्वत्थामाके पास आकर उसके ऊपर बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगा
tena śabdena vīras tu śrutakīrtir mahārathaḥ | aśvatthāmānam āsādya śaravarṣa-ravākirat ||
Mendengar hiruk-pikuk itu, sang pahlawan mahakereta Śrutakīrti menerjang mendekati Aśvatthāmā dan menghujaninya dengan derasnya panah yang menggelegar.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in a chaotic war setting, mere alarm and noise can trigger immediate violent response. Ethically, it points to the danger of reactive action—when discernment is eclipsed, conflict intensifies and spreads.
Sañjaya reports that Śrutakīrti, hearing a loud commotion, hastens to Aśvatthāmā and attacks him by releasing a dense, roaring volley of arrows.