Shloka 25
Aśvatthāmā’s Buddhi-Doctrine and Nocturnal Incursion Resolve (अश्वत्थाम्नः बुद्धिविचारः सौप्तिकसंकल्पश्च)
अद्य स्वप्स्यन्ति पञ्चाला विश्वस्ता जितकाशिन: । विमुक्तयुग्यकवचा हर्षेण च समन्विता:
adya svapsyanti pāñcālā viśvastā jitakāśinaḥ | vimuktayugyakavacā harṣeṇa ca samanvitāḥ ||
วันนี้ชาวปาญจาลจะหลับอย่างวางใจ ความหวาดระแวงของเขาถูกข่มแล้ว—ปลดแอกและถอดเกราะออก เปี่ยมด้วยความปลื้มปีติ
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how relief after apparent victory can turn into dangerous complacency. Ethically, it underscores the vulnerability created when vigilance is dropped in war, foreshadowing how adharma can exploit moments of trust and rest.
Sañjaya describes the Pāñcālas in the Pāṇḍava camp settling down for the night—feeling safe, having removed their armour and unyoked their gear—just before the events of the Sauptika Parva’s nocturnal violence unfold.