Shloka 149
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
प्रीत्या चोच्चैरुदक्रोशंस्तथैवास्फोटयंस्तलान्,फिर तो वे तीनों प्रसन्नताके मारे उच्चस्वरसे गर्जने और ताल ठोकने लगे। इस प्रकार वह रात्रि उस जन-संहारकी वेलामें असावधान होकर सोये हुए सोमकोंके लिये अत्यन्त भयंकर सिद्ध हुई
prītyā coccair udakrośaṃs tathaivāsphoṭayaṃs talān |
Sañjaya said: Overjoyed, they shouted aloud and clapped their hands. Thus that night—at the very hour of slaughter—proved exceedingly dreadful for the Somakas, who lay asleep and unsuspecting.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the moral darkness of rejoicing at violence: loud celebration at the moment of a night slaughter underscores how war can erode restraint and compassion, turning victory-feeling into complicity in adharma—especially when the victims are asleep and defenseless.
Sañjaya reports that the attackers, pleased with their success, shout and clap loudly. The narration immediately frames the consequence: that same night becomes terrifying for the Somakas, who are sleeping and unaware at the time of the massacre.