Shloka 45
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
ये त्वजाग्रन्त कौरव्य तेडपि शब्देन मोहिता: । निरीक्ष्यमाणा अन्योन्यं दृष्टवा दृष्टवा प्रविव्यथु:
ye tv ajāgranta kauravya te 'pi śabdena mohitāḥ | nirīkṣyamāṇā anyonyaṁ dṛṣṭvā dṛṣṭvā pravivyathuḥ kurunandana ||
サンジャヤは言った。「おお、クル族の子よ。起きていた者たちでさえ、その騒然たる物音に惑わされ、なすべきことを失っていた。互いに見交わしながら、彼らは何度も何度も振り返り、そしてアシュヴァッターマの姿を見た途端、震えと苦悶に襲われたのだ。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how violence undertaken in darkness and confusion spreads moral and psychological collapse: even the vigilant lose discernment, and fear multiplies through mutual observation and rumor-like noise—an implicit critique of adharma-driven warfare.
During the night in the Sauptika episode, a sudden uproar arises; even the awake guards and soldiers become disoriented. They look at one another repeatedly, and on recognizing Aśvatthāmā’s presence, they tremble in distress.