Shloka 963
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
अकरोच्छिबिरे तेषां रजन्यां द्विगुणं तम:ः । उन दौड़ते हुए घोड़ों और हाथियोंने अपने पैरोंसे जो धूल उड़ायी थी, उसने पाण्डवोंके शिविरमें रात्रिके अन्धकारको दुगुना कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca | akaroc chibire teṣāṃ rajanyāṃ dviguṇaṃ tamaḥ |
サञ्जयは語った。――彼らの陣では、夜の闇が二重にも濃くなった。疾走する馬と象の足が蹴り上げた土埃が、闇をいっそう重くしたのである。この光景は、戦の暴力が肉体を傷つけるだけでなく、認識をも曇らせ、夜襲の恐怖と道義の暗さを増幅させることを示している。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war amplifies not only physical danger but also psychological and moral darkness—confusion, fear, and loss of clarity—especially in a night assault where visibility and discernment are diminished.
Sañjaya describes the night-time conditions in the camp: dust raised by fast-moving horses and elephants thickens the darkness, creating an atmosphere suited to stealth, panic, and sudden violence.