Shloka 34
Aśvatthāmā’s Stuti of Rudra and Śiva’s Empowerment (सौप्तिकपर्व, अध्याय ७)
लड्घन्त: प्लवन्तश्न वल्गन्तश्न॒ महारथा: । धावन्तो जवना मुण्डा: पवनोद्धूतमूर्धजा:,वे महारथी भूतगण उछलते, कूदते और लाँघते हुए बड़े वेगसे दौड़ रहे थे। उनमेंसे कितने तो माथ मुँड़ाये हुए थे और कितनोंके सिरके बाल हवाके झोंकेसे ऊपरकी ओर उठ गये थे
laṅghantaḥ plavantaś ca valgantaś ca mahārathāḥ | dhāvanto javanā muṇḍāḥ pavanoddhūtamūrdhajāḥ ||
サञ्जयは語った。「大車戦士たちは、狂乱の群れのように、障害を跳び越え、跳躍し、躍りかかるように駆け回った。彼らは凄まじい速さで突進し、ある者は剃髪し、ある者は突風に髪を逆立てられていた。この光景は、夜の暴力がもつ恐るべき無秩序な勢いを伝える。武の技は恐怖の見世物となり、道義の歯止めは崩れ落ちてゆくのだ。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war—especially in the lawless atmosphere of night violence—can devolve into chaotic, dehumanizing frenzy. It implicitly contrasts disciplined kṣatriya conduct with the terrifying momentum of adharma when restraint and ethical boundaries collapse.
Sañjaya describes a terrifying host of powerful fighters (or warrior-like beings) rushing about—leaping, jumping, and running at great speed. Their appearance is striking: some are shaven-headed, and others have hair blown upward by the wind, heightening the ominous, uncanny atmosphere of the Sauptika episode.