Shloka 11
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
धृष्टद्युम्नस्य निलयं शनकैरभ्युपागमत् । वह महाबाहु वीर शिविरके प्रत्येक स्थानसे परिचित था, अतः धीरे-धीरे धृष्टद्युम्नके खेमेमें जा पहुँचा ।। ते तु कृत्वा महत् कर्म श्रान्ताश्ष बलवद् रणे
sañjaya uvāca |
dhṛṣṭadyumnasya nilayaṃ śanakair abhyupāgamat |
Sabi ni Sañjaya: Dahan-dahan at palihim siyang lumapit, hakbang-hakbang, sa tirahan (tolda) ni Dhṛṣṭadyumna. Dahil kabisado niya ang ayos ng kampo at bawat puwesto sa loob nito, ang mandirigmang makapangyarihan ang mga bisig ay marahang naglakad hanggang marating ang pabilon ni Dhṛṣṭadyumna—isang gawaing naglalarawan ng dilim sa panig ng dharma sa pagsalakay sa gabi, kung saan ang pamilyaridad at pagnanakaw ng kilos ang ginagamit upang saktan ang kaaway na nagpapahinga, sa halip na harapin siya nang hayagan sa labanan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how stealth and insider knowledge can be turned toward harmful ends, pointing to the ethical decline of warfare in the Sauptika episode: victory pursued through nocturnal surprise against the unsuspecting is portrayed as morally tainted, contrasting with ideals of open, rule-bound combat.
Sañjaya narrates that the attacker advances quietly toward Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s tent, moving cautiously through the camp because he knows its arrangement and positions, setting up the ensuing killing in the sleeping quarters.