Shloka 916
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
सम॑ पर्यपतंश्वान्ये कुर्वन्तो महदाकुलम् । कितने ही मलत्याग करने लगे। कितनोंके पेशाब झड़ने लगे। राजेन्द्र! दूसरे बहुत-से घोड़े और हाथी बन्धन तोड़कर एक साथ ही सब ओर दौड़ने और लोगोंको अत्यन्त व्याकुल करने लगे
samaṃ paryapatañ śvāny anye kurvanto mahad ākulam |
समन्तात् पर्यपतन् अन्ये कुर्वन्तो महदाकुलम्। केचिद् मलमुमुचुः केचिद् मूत्रं प्रसुस्रुवुः। राजेन्द्र बहवोऽश्वा गजाश्च बन्धनानि छित्त्वा सहसा सर्वतो धावन्तो जनान् अत्यन्तं व्याकुलयन्॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how fear and adharma-driven violence unleash widespread disorder: the effects of war are not confined to warriors but disturb animals, attendants, and the broader moral and natural order, intensifying collective suffering.
Sañjaya describes a sudden outbreak of panic in the camp: animals and others run in all directions, many lose bodily control, and horses and elephants snap their restraints and stampede, causing severe confusion and distress among the people.