Shloka 17
Uttarā-vilāpaḥ and Kṛṣṇasya satya-vacanenābhi-mañyu-jasyābhijīvanam
Uttarā’s Lament and the Revival of Abhimanyu’s Son by Krishna’s Truth-Act
सा त्वां प्रसाद्य शिरसा याचे शत्रुनिबर्हणम् । प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यामि गोविन्द नायं संजीवते यदि
sā tvāṃ prasādya śirasā yāce śatrunibarhaṇam | prāṇāṃs tyakṣyāmi govinda nāyaṃ saṃjīvate yadi |
قال فايشَمبايانا: «يا جوفيندا، يا مُبيد الأعداء—إني أُطأطئ رأسي مسترضيًا طالبًا نعمتك، وأستجدي منك حياة هذا الطفل. فإن لم يحيَ، فإني أنا أيضًا سأترك حياتي.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical appeal to compassion: true greatness in a protector is shown not only in defeating enemies but also in preserving life when mercy is warranted. The bowed head signifies humility and devotion, while the request frames saving the vulnerable as a dharmic responsibility of the powerful.
A woman, desperate to save a child, approaches Govinda (Kṛṣṇa). She bows her head to win his favor and begs for the child’s life, declaring that she will give up her own life if the child dies. Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates this plea as part of the unfolding events in the Aśvamedhika section.