Sauptika Parva

Arastthaman propitiates Śiva before making a night attack on the Pandava camp

Mahabharata Book 10 Sauptika Parva is the tenth Parva of Mahabharata.

Kritavarman, Kripa, and Ashwatthama, the son of Drona, came back to the field and saw king Duryodhana lying on ground, covered with blood. Then the son of Drona vowed to not take off his armour till he kills all the Panchalas including Drishtadyumna, Pandavas and their allies. They entered the great forest and sat undera banyan tree in night. Ashwatthama saw an owl killing many crows one after another. Seeing this his heart filled with rage at thought of his father's fate. He accompanied by Kritvarman and Kripa slew all sons of draupadi, all the Panchalas with Dhrishtadyumna along with their relatives, while they were asleep. All got killed on that fatal night except the five Pandavas and Satyaki. Those escaped owing to Krishna's counsels, brought this news to Pandavas about slaughter of sons of draupadi by the son of Drona. Draupadi distressed at death of her sons and brothers sat before lords resolved to kill herself by fsting. Bhima, moved by the words of Draupadi resolved to please her and took his mace in anger followed in wrath the son of hi preceptor in arms. Aswatthman, from fear of Bhim and his sena and impelled by the fates , moved also by anger discharged a celestial weapon saying 'This is for destruction of all the pandavas'; Krishna saying 'This shall not be', thus neutralised Ashwatthama's peech. Then Arjuna neutralised that weapon by one of his own. Seeing the wicked Ashwatthama's destructive intentions, Dwaipayana and Krishna pronounced curses on him which the latter returned. Pandava then deprived the mighty warrior-in-chariot Ashwatthama, of the jewel on his head, and became exceedingly glad, and, boastful of their success, made a present of it to the sorrowing Draupadi.

Vyasa has composed this in eighteen sections. The number of slokas also composed is eight hundred and seventy.

External links

• Translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.