Shloka 44
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
तस्य लोहितरक्तस्य दीप्तखड्गस्य युध्यत: । अमानुष इवाकारो बभौ परमभीषण:,वह खूनसे रँग गया था। जूझते हुए उस वीरकी तलवार चमक रही थी। उस समय उसका आकार मानवेतर प्राणीके समान अत्यन्त भयंकर प्रतीत होता था
tasya lohita-raktasya dīpta-khaḍgasya yudhyataḥ | amānuṣa iva ākāro babhau paramabhīṣaṇaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Habang siya’y nakikipaglaban, ang kaniyang katawan ay nabahiran ng pulang dugo at ang espada ng mandirigmang iyon ay kumikislap na mabagsik. Sa sandaling iyon, ang anyo niya’y wari’y hindi na tao—lubhang nakapanghihilakbot—na nagpapakita kung paanong ang pagkahibang ng digmaang panggabi ay nakapaghuhubad sa digmaan ng karaniwang sukat at pagpipigil ng tao.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how unchecked violence in war—especially in the lawless atmosphere of night fighting—can make a person appear 'amānuṣa' (inhuman), suggesting an ethical warning about the loss of humanity when dharma is eclipsed by rage and slaughter.
Sañjaya describes a warrior in combat, drenched in blood with a gleaming sword, whose appearance becomes terrifyingly inhuman—an image that heightens the horror and intensity of the Sauptika episode.