Shloka 50
Aśvatthāmā’s Stuti of Rudra and Śiva’s Empowerment (सौप्तिकपर्व, अध्याय ७)
भीमोग्रपरिघालातशूलपट्टिशपाणय: । घोररूपा: समाजम्मुर्भूतसड्घा: समन्तत:,भूतोंके वे समूह बड़े भयंकर और तेजस्वी थे तथा सब ओर अपनी प्रभा फैला रहे थे। अश्वत्थामामें कितना तेज है, इस बातको वे जानना चाहते थे और सोते समय जो महान् संहार होनेवाला था, उसे भी देखनेकी इच्छा रखते थे। साथ ही महामनस्वी द्रोणकुमारकी महिमा बढ़ाना चाहते थे; इसीलिये महादेवजीकी स्तुति करते हुए वे चारों ओरसे वहाँ आ पहुँचे। उनके हाथोंमें अत्यन्त भयंकर परिघ, चलते लुआठे, त्रिशूल और पट्टिश शोभा पा रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca |
bhīmogra-parighālāta-śūla-paṭṭiśa-pāṇayaḥ |
ghora-rūpāḥ samājam mur bhūta-saṅghāḥ samantataḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Terrifying hosts of spirits gathered from every side, their hands bearing dreadful weapons—heavy iron clubs, blazing brands, tridents, and battle-axes. Their fierce radiance spread in all directions. They had come to witness the great slaughter that would occur while men slept, to gauge the terrible power present in Aśvatthāmā, and—by praising Mahādeva—to magnify the grim glory of Droṇa’s son.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how unchecked wrath and the pursuit of vengeance can draw one into a sphere of darkness—symbolized by terrifying spirits and night-weapons—where devotion is invoked not for inner restraint but to empower destruction. It hints at the ethical collapse of warfare when killing is sought against the sleeping and unsuspecting.
As Aśvatthāmā prepares for the nocturnal slaughter in the enemy camp, supernatural beings (bhūtas) assemble from all directions, armed with fearsome weapons. They come to witness the impending massacre, to assess Aśvatthāmā’s potency, and to exalt Droṇa’s son while praising Mahādeva (Śiva).