Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
इसके बाद द्रोणकुमार अश्वत्थामा पुनः: भयानक शब्द करनेवाले अपने रथपर सवार हुआ और हाथमें धनुष ले बाणोंद्वारा दूसरे योद्धाओंको यमलोक भेजने लगा ।। पुनरुत्पततश्चापि दूरादपि नरोत्तमान् | शूरान् सम्पततश्वान्यान् कालरात््यै न्न्यवेदयत्
sañjaya uvāca | punaḥ utpatataś cāpi dūrād api narottamān | śūrān sampatataś cānyān kālarātryai nyavedayat ||
三阇耶说道:此后,德罗纳之子阿湿婆他摩又登上那发出骇人声响的战车,手执弓矢,以箭将别的战士送往阎摩之界。并且他再度腾跃出击,纵在远处亦能射杀,将诸位人中俊杰——从各方奔突而来的勇士——交付于迦罗罗特丽(死神)之掌。
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how, in the grip of vengeance and rage, warrior-energy can devolve into morally troubling violence—especially in night attacks—inviting reflection on dharma in warfare and the ethical cost of abandoning restraint.
Sañjaya describes Aśvatthāmā repeatedly surging forward and killing warriors even from a distance, consigning charging heroes to death (Kālarātri), as the nocturnal slaughter continues.