Shloka 24
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
मर्मस्वभ्यवधीत् क्रुद्ध: पादाष्ठीलै: सुदारुणै: । उस वीरसे ऐसा कहते हुए क्रोधी अश्वत्थामाने मतवाले हाथीपर चोट करनेवाले सिंहके समान अपनी अत्यन्त भयंकर एड़ियोंसे उसके मर्मस्थानोंपर प्रहार किया ।।
marmasv abhyavadhīt kruddhaḥ pādāṣṭhīlaiḥ sudāruṇaiḥ | tasya vīrasya śabdena māryamāṇasya veśmani |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Sa galit, tinamaan ni Aśvatthāmā ang mga mahalagang bahagi gamit ang kanyang nakapangingilabot na tigas na mga sakong. At dahil sa mga sigaw ng mandirigmang iyon habang binubugbog sa loob ng silid, nabunyag ang nagaganap.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger and revenge can drive a warrior to strike at vital points with extreme cruelty, especially in a night-raid setting. It implicitly contrasts such conduct with the restraints expected by dharma, showing the moral collapse that can occur when violence is pursued without limits.
Sañjaya describes Aśvatthāmā, furious, attacking a warrior inside a dwelling and striking his vital spots with his hard heels. The victim’s cries (the ‘sound’ in the house) are noted, emphasizing the brutality and the confined, secretive setting of the assault.