Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
अन्योन्यं सम्परिष्वज्य शयानान् द्रवतो5परान् | संलीनान् युद्धयमानांश्व सर्वान् द्रौणिरपोथयत्
anyonyam sampariṣvajya śayānān dravatoparān | saṃlīnān yuddhayamānāṃś ca sarvān drauṇir apothayat ||
କେହି ପରସ୍ପରକୁ ଆଲିଙ୍ଗନ କରି ଶୋଇଥିଲେ, କେହି ଭୟରେ ଦୌଡ଼ୁଥିଲେ; କେହି ଲୁଚିଥିଲେ, ଆଉ କେହି ଯୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରୁଥିଲେ—ଦ୍ରୋଣପୁତ୍ର ଅଶ୍ୱତ୍ଥାମା ସେମାନଙ୍କ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ନିହତ କଲା।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how war can descend into adharma when restraint and rules collapse—especially in a night raid where the vulnerable (sleeping, fleeing, hiding) are killed. It invites reflection on ethical limits in conflict and the consequences of vengeance-driven violence.
Sañjaya describes the chaos in the camp during Aśvatthāman’s nocturnal assault: some warriors lie embracing in sleep, some run, some hide, some try to fight; Aśvatthāman cuts them all down indiscriminately.