Shloka 38
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
तथा स वीरो हत्वा तं ततो<न्यान् समुपाद्रवत्
tathā sa vīro hatvā taṃ tato 'nyān samupādravat | rājendra |
サンジャヤは言った。「彼を殺すと、その“勇士”はさらに他の者たちへと突進した。王の中の最上よ。ユダーマニュを討ったのち、アシュヴァッターマンは、なお眠りにある残りの大車戦士たちを襲った。彼らは恐怖に震え、身をよじったが、暴虐を旨とする供犠において獣を屠る役目の者が獣を仕留めるように、彼もまた彼らを斬り伏せた。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral collapse that can follow unchecked rage and vengeance: killing sleeping opponents is portrayed through a grim sacrificial analogy, underscoring how violence can become mechanical and dehumanizing, standing in tension with ideals of righteous warfare (dharma-yuddha).
After killing Yudhāmanyu, Aśvatthāman continues his nocturnal assault, rushing upon other great warriors while they sleep and slaughtering them despite their fear and helplessness; Sañjaya reports this to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra.