Shloka 138
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
उनकी अंगुलियाँ पीछेकी ओर थीं। वे रूखे
pītvā ca śoṇitaṃ hṛṣṭāḥ prānṛtyan gaṇaśo 'pare | idaṃ param idaṃ medhyam idaṃ svādu iti cābruvan ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Ang kanilang mga daliri ay nakabaluktot paatras; magagaspang, pangit, at umuungal nang nakapanghihilakbot. Marami ang may suot na mga kuwintas ng kampanilya; may bughaw na tanda sa lalamunan, at tunay na kakila-kilabot ang anyo. Kasama rin ang kanilang mga asawa at anak. Sila’y ubod ng lupit at walang-awa; mahirap kahit tumingin sa kanila. Doon ay lumilitaw ang iba’t ibang anyo ng mga rākṣasa. May ilan na uminom ng dugo at nagalak; ang iba nama’y nagbukod-bukod na pangkat at nagsayaw. Sinasabi nila sa isa’t isa: “Ito’y napakahusay! Ito’y dalisay! Ito’y napakasarap!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extreme violence can invert moral perception: what is inherently impure and sinful (blood-drinking amid slaughter) is proclaimed as “pure” and “excellent.” It serves as a warning about adharma—when cruelty becomes celebratory, ethical discernment is destroyed.
In the aftermath of the nocturnal killing described in Sauptika Parva, terrifying beings are depicted reveling in the carnage: some drink blood and rejoice, while others dance in groups, praising it as if it were something sacred and delicious.