Shloka 34
Aśvatthāmā’s Stuti of Rudra and Śiva’s Empowerment (सौप्तिकपर्व, अध्याय ७)
लड्घन्त: प्लवन्तश्न वल्गन्तश्न॒ महारथा: । धावन्तो जवना मुण्डा: पवनोद्धूतमूर्धजा:,वे महारथी भूतगण उछलते, कूदते और लाँघते हुए बड़े वेगसे दौड़ रहे थे। उनमेंसे कितने तो माथ मुँड़ाये हुए थे और कितनोंके सिरके बाल हवाके झोंकेसे ऊपरकी ओर उठ गये थे
laṅghantaḥ plavantaś ca valgantaś ca mahārathāḥ | dhāvanto javanā muṇḍāḥ pavanoddhūtamūrdhajāḥ ||
وہ مہارथوں جیسے بھوتوں کا گروہ رکاوٹیں پھلانگتا، اچھلتا کودتا بڑے زور سے دوڑ رہا تھا۔ ان میں کچھ کے سر منڈے ہوئے تھے اور کچھ کے بال ہوا کے جھونکوں سے اوپر کو اُڑ رہے تھے۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war—especially in the lawless atmosphere of night violence—can devolve into chaotic, dehumanizing frenzy. It implicitly contrasts disciplined kṣatriya conduct with the terrifying momentum of adharma when restraint and ethical boundaries collapse.
Sañjaya describes a terrifying host of powerful fighters (or warrior-like beings) rushing about—leaping, jumping, and running at great speed. Their appearance is striking: some are shaven-headed, and others have hair blown upward by the wind, heightening the ominous, uncanny atmosphere of the Sauptika episode.