Shloka 6
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
संजयने कहा--राजन्! महामनस्वी द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामा जब शिविरके भीतर जाने लगा, उस समय कृपाचार्य और कृतवर्मा भी उसके दरवाजेपर जा खड़े हुए ।। अश्वत्थामा तु तौ दृष्टवा यत्नवन्ती महारथौ । प्रह्ृष: शनकै राजन्निदं वचनमत्रवीत्,महाराज! उन दोनों महारथियोंको अपना साथ देनेके लिये प्रयत्नशील देख अश्वृत्थामाको बड़ी प्रसन्नता हुई। उसने उनसे धीरेसे इस प्रकार कहा--
sañjaya uvāca—rājan mahāmanasvī droṇaputra aśvatthāmā yadā śibirasyāntar praviṣṭum ārabdhavān, tadā kṛpācāryaś ca kṛtavarmā ca tasya dvāre tiṣṭhantau babhūvatuḥ. aśvatthāmā tu tau dṛṣṭvā yatnavantau mahārathau, prahṛṣaḥ śanakai rājan idaṃ vacanam abravīt.
Sañjaya said: O King, when the high-souled Aśvatthāmā, son of Droṇa, was about to enter the camp, Kṛpa and Kṛtavarmā also came and stood at his doorway. Seeing those two great chariot-warriors intent on accompanying him, Aśvatthāmā was greatly pleased; and, softly, he spoke these words. (The scene frames a morally charged moment: comrades align themselves with a night-enterprise whose consequences will test the bounds of kṣatriya conduct and responsibility.)
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how companionship and approval can strengthen resolve at a critical moment; ethically, it foreshadows that collective participation in a questionable act spreads responsibility beyond the principal agent, making counsel and restraint especially important in wartime decisions.
Aśvatthāmā is about to enter the enemy camp; Kṛpa and Kṛtavarmā position themselves at the entrance, ready to accompany him. Seeing their readiness, Aśvatthāmā becomes pleased and begins to speak to them quietly.