Shloka 11
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
धृष्टद्युम्नस्य निलयं शनकैरभ्युपागमत् । वह महाबाहु वीर शिविरके प्रत्येक स्थानसे परिचित था, अतः धीरे-धीरे धृष्टद्युम्नके खेमेमें जा पहुँचा ।। ते तु कृत्वा महत् कर्म श्रान्ताश्ष बलवद् रणे
sañjaya uvāca |
dhṛṣṭadyumnasya nilayaṃ śanakair abhyupāgamat |
サञ्जयは語った。彼は一歩また一歩と、音も立てずに、ドリシュタデュムナの住まい（天幕）へ近づいた。陣営の配置と各所の位置を熟知していたため、強大な腕をもつ戦士はゆるやかに進み、ついにドリシュタデュムナの幕舎へ至った――これは、夜襲という行いの道義的な闇を示す。すなわち、土地勘と忍びを用いて、休息する敵を討ち、戦場で正面から相まみえることを避けるのである。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how stealth and insider knowledge can be turned toward harmful ends, pointing to the ethical decline of warfare in the Sauptika episode: victory pursued through nocturnal surprise against the unsuspecting is portrayed as morally tainted, contrasting with ideals of open, rule-bound combat.
Sañjaya narrates that the attacker advances quietly toward Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s tent, moving cautiously through the camp because he knows its arrangement and positions, setting up the ensuing killing in the sleeping quarters.