Shloka 58
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
अताडयच्छतानीकं मुक्तचक्रं द्विजस्तु सः । स विह्दलो ययौ भूमिं ततो5स्यापाहरच्छिर:
atāḍayac chatānīkaṃ muktacakraṃ dvijas tu saḥ | sa vidhvalo yayau bhūmiṃ tato ’syāpāharac chiraḥ ||
सञ्जय उवाच—मुक्तचक्रं शतानीकं स द्विजोऽश्वत्थामा भृशमताडयत्। स विह्वलः भूमिं ययौ, ततस्तस्य शिरश्चिच्छेद।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the Sauptika episode, violence escalates beyond accepted wartime restraint: a fallen, disarmed opponent is struck and beheaded. It serves as a narrative warning about adharma in war—how rage and vengeance can eclipse duty and humane limits.
Sañjaya reports that Śatānīka loses control of his discus; Aśvatthāman, identified as a dvija (Brahmin), strikes him so that he collapses, and then Aśvatthāman cuts off his head.