Shloka 7
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
यत्तौ भवन्तौ पर्याप्तौ सर्वक्षत्रस्थ नाशने । कि पुनर्योधशेषस्य प्रसुप्तस्य विशेषत:
yattau bhavantau paryāptau sarva-kṣatra-stha-nāśane | ki punar yodha-śeṣasya prasuptasya viśeṣataḥ ||
「もし汝ら二人が油断なく力を尽くすなら、刹帝利のすべてを滅ぼすにも足りよう。ましてや残りわずかな戦士どもを—とりわけ眠り伏している者たちを—討つことが、何ほどのことか。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension: when power and capability are emphasized, violence can be rationalized as ‘easy’ or ‘insignificant,’ even against defenseless targets. In the Sauptika context, this kind of reasoning points toward adharma—normalizing the killing of sleeping survivors as a mere tactical convenience rather than a righteous act.
Sañjaya reports a statement that flatters and emboldens two warriors, asserting they are sufficient to destroy all Kṣatriyas if they act vigilantly; therefore, killing the few remaining fighters—particularly while they are asleep—should be even easier. This aligns with the build-up to the nocturnal slaughter that characterizes the Sauptika Parva.