Shloka 55
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
प्रासेन विद्ध॒वा द्रौ्णिं तु सुतसोमः प्रतापवान् । पुनश्चासिं समुद्यम्य द्रोणपुत्रमुपाद्रवत्,तत्पश्चात् प्रतापी सुतसोमने द्रोणकुमारकों पहले प्राससे घायल करके फिर तलवार उठाकर उसपर धावा किया
prāsena viddhvā drauṇiṁ tu sutasomaḥ pratāpavān | punaścāsiṁ samudyamya droṇaputram upādravat |
Sañjaya said: The valiant Sutasoma struck Drauṇi (Aśvatthāmā) with a spear. Then, raising his sword again, he rushed at Droṇa’s son. The scene underscores the grim reciprocity of night-war vengeance, where personal valor and inherited enmity drive combat beyond restraint.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the aftermath of adharma-driven violence, even righteous warriors are pulled into relentless retaliation; it invites reflection on the ethical collapse that war—especially night warfare and revenge—can produce.
Sutasoma first wounds Aśvatthāmā with a spear and then, drawing his sword, charges at him again, continuing the close-quarters fight against Droṇa’s son.