Shloka 57
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
नाकुलिस्तु शतानीको रथचक्रेण वीर्यवान् । दोर्भ्यामुत्क्षिप्प वेगेन वक्षस्येनमताडयत्,इसके बाद नकुलके पराक्रमी पुत्र शतानीकने अपनी दोनों भुजाओंसे रथचक्रको उठाकर उसके द्वारा बड़े वेगसे अश्वत्थामाकी छातीपर प्रहार किया
nākulis tu śatānīko rathacakreṇa vīryavān | dorbhyām utkṣipya vegeṇa vakṣasy enam atāḍayat ||
Sañjaya said: Then Śatānīka, the valiant son of Nakula, seized a chariot-wheel with both arms, lifted it up, and with great force struck him on the chest. The scene underscores how, in the chaos of nocturnal slaughter, even princely warriors resort to improvised weapons and raw strength, driven by rage and the urgent demand for retribution rather than measured restraint.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war—especially the lawless terror of the Sauptika episode—pushes warriors toward impulsive, improvised brutality. It implicitly contrasts disciplined dharma-yuddha ideals with the breakdown of restraint when vengeance and survival dominate.
Sañjaya narrates that Śatānīka, Nakula’s son, lifts a chariot-wheel with both arms and strikes Aśvatthāman on the chest with great force during the violent confrontation of the Sauptika events.