Shloka 50
Aśvatthāmā’s Stuti of Rudra and Śiva’s Empowerment (सौप्तिकपर्व, अध्याय ७)
भीमोग्रपरिघालातशूलपट्टिशपाणय: । घोररूपा: समाजम्मुर्भूतसड्घा: समन्तत:
sañjaya uvāca |
bhīmogra-parighālāta-śūla-paṭṭiśa-pāṇayaḥ |
ghora-rūpāḥ samājam mur bhūta-saṅghāḥ samantataḥ ||
三阇耶说道：可怖的鬼神之众从四面八方会集而来，手执骇人的兵器——沉重铁棍、燃烧火炬、三叉戟与战斧。其凶烈光辉遍照诸方。他们前来，是为目睹人们熟睡之际将发生的大屠戮，衡量阿湿婆他摩体内那可怖的力量，并且——以赞颂大天之名——增添德罗那之子那阴沉而残酷的荣耀。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how unchecked wrath and the pursuit of vengeance can draw one into a sphere of darkness—symbolized by terrifying spirits and night-weapons—where devotion is invoked not for inner restraint but to empower destruction. It hints at the ethical collapse of warfare when killing is sought against the sleeping and unsuspecting.
As Aśvatthāmā prepares for the nocturnal slaughter in the enemy camp, supernatural beings (bhūtas) assemble from all directions, armed with fearsome weapons. They come to witness the impending massacre, to assess Aśvatthāmā’s potency, and to exalt Droṇa’s son while praising Mahādeva (Śiva).