Shloka 49
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
अवाकिरन् शयव्रातैर्भारेद्वाजम भीतवत् । ततस्तेन निनादेन सम्प्रबुद्धा: प्रभद्रका:
avākiran śayavrātair bhāradvājam abhītavat | tatas tena ninādena samprabuddhāḥ prabhadrakāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: They showered Bhāradvāja’s son (Aśvatthāmā) with volleys of arrows, as if without fear. Then, by that tumultuous roar, the Prabhadrakas were roused from sleep—an image of how, in war, even rest is shattered by sudden violence and alarm.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how warfare breeds relentless fear and disruption: even sleep and ordinary human security are overturned by sudden aggression and the spreading panic of noise and confusion.
Aśvatthāmā (identified as Bhāradvāja’s son) is being showered with volleys of arrows. The resulting uproar awakens the Prabhadrakas, indicating a sudden escalation and the camp/contingent being alerted.