Shloka 129
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
स चेष्टमानानुद्धिग्नान् निरुत्साहानू सहस्रश: । न्यपातयन्नरान् क्रुद्ध: पशून् पशुपतिर्यथा,जैसे प्रलयके समय क्रोधमें भरे हुए पशुपति रुद्र समस्त पशुओं (प्राणियों)-का संहार कर डालते हैं, उसी प्रकार कुपित हुए अभश्वत्थामाने ऐसे सहस्रों मनुष्योंको भी मार डाला, जो किसी प्रकार प्राण बचानेके प्रयत्नमें लगे हुए थे, एकदम घबराये हुए थे और सारा उत्साह खो बैठे थे
sa ceṣṭamānān uddhignān nirutsāhān ca sahasraśaḥ | nyapātayann arān kruddhaḥ paśūn paśupatir yathā ||
Sañjaya said: Enraged, he struck down by the thousands those men who were struggling to save their lives—panic-stricken and drained of all courage—just as Paśupati (Rudra), in wrath at the time of cosmic dissolution, destroys all living beings. The verse underscores the moral horror of slaughtering the helpless in a moment of terror and collapse.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical collapse that occurs when rage targets the defenseless: killing those who are terrified and powerless is portrayed as catastrophic, likened to Rudra’s annihilation at dissolution—an image that intensifies the sense of adharma and moral horror.
Sañjaya describes Aśvatthāmā in a fury during the night-raid context, cutting down large numbers of men who are trying to escape, frightened and demoralized, comparing his destructive sweep to Paśupati Rudra destroying beings at pralaya.