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सौप्तिकपर्वन् (sauptikaparvan)

 
Monier Williams Cologne
English
सौप्तिक—पर्वन्
n.
N.
 of the 10th book of the Mahā-bhārata (describing how the three surviving Kuru warriors, Aśvatthāman, Kṛta-varman, and Kṛpa, after the destruction of their army, attacked the camp of the Pāṇḍavas by night and murdered them while asleep
the whole Pāṇḍava army was thus destroyed, except the five Pāṇḍu princes themselves, who, with Kṛṣṇa and Sātyaki, were stationed at some distance from the camp).
Apte Hindi
Hindi
सौप्तिकपर्वन्
नपुं*
 सौप्तिकपर्वन् -
"महाभारत का दसवाँ पर्व जिसमें वर्णन किया गया है कि अश्वत्थामा, कृतवर्मा, कृप और कौरवसेना के बचे हुए योद्धाओं ने रात को पांडवशिविर पर आक्रमण कर हजारों सोते हुए सैनिकों को मौत के घाट उतार दिया"
Mahabharata
English
[Sauptikaparvan(ºva)]
(“the section including the nightly attack”: (a) the 10th of the greater parvans of Mhbhr., including the 83rd and the 84th of the minor parvans
(b) the 83rd of the minor parvans
cf. Sauptika): § 616: Aśvatthāman, etc. proceeded towards the south. At the hour of sunset they reached a spot near the encampment. Hearing the shouts in the Pāṇḍava camp, they proceeded farther and reached a dense forest. Dhṛtarāshṭra interrupted Sañjaya by expressing his grief for Duryodhana, and then inquired about the acts of the three survivors (). Sañjaya continued: Aśvatthāman, etc., laid themselves down for rest under a huge banyan
Kṛpa and Kṛtavarman fell asleep
Aśvatthāman was kept awake by wrath and the desire of vengeance. He saw a fierce owl coming to that banyan and slaying a large number of crows roosting on its branches
at this sight he formed the resolution of slaying the Pāṇḍava army while buried in sleep
he roused Kṛpa and Kṛtavarman, unfolded his project before them, and asked for their advice (X,
1)
Kṛpa dissuaded him from executing his wicked design
“Let us repair to Dhṛtarāshṭra, Gāndhārī, and Vidura, and ask them as to what we should do” (X, 2)
Aśvatthāman tried to refute Kṛpa's arguments () (X, 3). Kṛpa promised to aid Aśvatthāman if the latter would fight the foe the next morning during daylight ()
Aśvatthāman's answer: he would not desist () (X, 4). Kṛpa earnestly remonstrated with Aśvatthāman, who declared his resolution to be unaltered (), yoked his steeds to his chariot, and proceeded alone, saying that he would avenge his father ()
Kṛpa and Kṛtavarman followed him. Approaching the Pāṇḍava camp, Aśvatthāman stopped at the gate (X, 5). He beheld a being of gigantic frame (description
hundreds and thousands of Hṛshīkeśas issued from its flames) ready to resist him, and fearlessly fought it
it devoured all the weapons of Aśvatthāman, who repented of his rash deed, and resolved to seek the protection of Mahādeva (X, 6), to whom he recited a hymn (). A golden altar appeared before him with a blazing fire on it
many mighty beings of extraordinary appearance came there (description), worshippers of Mahādeva. Aśvatthāman felt no fear at the sight
he offered himself to Mahādeva as a libation on the fire
Mahādeva appeared and declared that the period of life of everybody in the camp had ran out
he gave a sword to Aśvatthāman and filled him with his own energy
many invisible beings and Rā. proceeded to his right and left as he set out (X, 7). He asked Kṛpa and Kṛtavarman to stand at the gate and slay everybody who would seek to escape
he entered the Pāṇḍava camp like a thief and slew Dhṛshṭadyumna, etc. () (description
he employed the Rudra weapon)
Rā. uttered loud roars in joy
also Y. came there
Kṛpa and Kṛtavarman set fire to the Pāṇḍava camp in three places
“Arjuna is incapable of being vanquished by D., As., G., Y., and Rā.” Before midnight the vast host of the Pāṇḍavas was slain by Aśvatthāman
the camp was invaded by Rā. and Pś. that gorge upon blood and flesh. Aśvatthāman forgot his grief for his father
when morning dawned he issued from the camp and joined Kṛpa and Kṛtavarman. Dhṛtarāshṭra asked why Aśvatthāman did not achieve such a feat before
Sañjaya answered that the absence of the Pāṇḍavas with Kṛshṇa, as also the sleep, was the cause of Aśvatthāman's success. They congratulated each other and resolved to give notice of the slaughter to Duryodhana (X, 8). They beheld Duryodhana still living, surrounded by wolves, hyenas, etc. They lamented and informed him ()
Aśvatthāman asked him, when he came to heaven, to inform Droṇa and embrace Bāhlīka, etc. (), and informed him who were yet alive () and who had been slain (). Duryodhana regained his senses and praised Aśvatthāman, etc. (). Saying “we shall all meet again in heaven”, he gave up his life-breaths
his soul ascended to heaven. At early dawn Sañjaya came to the city and lost his spiritual sight. Aśvatthāman, etc., ascended their chariots. Dhṛtarāshṭra breathed long and hot sighs (X, 9).