Shloka 40
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
ततो निस्त्रिंशभादाय जघानान्यान् पृथक् पृथक् । भागशो विचरन् मार्गानसियुद्धविशारद:
tato nistriṁśam ādāya jaghānānyān pṛthak pṛthak | bhāgaśo vicaran mārgān asiyuddhaviśāradaḥ ||
Sabi ni Sañjaya: Pagkaraan, kinuha niya ang kanyang tabak; at dahil bihasa siya sa pakikipaglaban sa espada, naglibot siya sa iba’t ibang daan, bahagi-bahagi, at pinaslang ang iba pang mga mandirigma isa-isa. Sa madilim na bakas ng digmaan, ang husay niya’y hindi na anyo ng matuwid na kabayanihan, kundi walang-humpay at masinop na karahasan na lalo pang nagpapalalim sa kasuklam-suklam na dilim ng pagsalakay sa gabi.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how technical martial excellence can be ethically misdirected: skill in combat, when driven by vengeance and exercised in a context of ruthless killing, intensifies adharma rather than earning glory. It invites reflection on the difference between valor aligned with dharma and violence executed as methodical slaughter.
Sañjaya narrates the continuation of the nocturnal killings: the attacker, sword in hand and expert in blade-fighting, moves through different routes and sections, striking down remaining warriors one by one. The emphasis is on systematic movement and repeated killing rather than a single duel.