Shloka 57
Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā
वपनं द्रविणादानं स्थानान्निर्यापणं तथा । एष हि ब्रह्मबन्धूनां वधो नान्योऽस्ति दैहिक: ॥ ५७ ॥
vapanaṁ draviṇādānaṁ sthānān niryāpaṇaṁ tathā eṣa hi brahma-bandhūnāṁ vadho nānyo ’sti daihikaḥ
Das Haar vom Kopf zu schneiden, ihn seines Reichtums zu berauben und ihn aus seinem Wohnsitz zu vertreiben, sind die vorgeschriebenen Strafen für den Verwandten eines Brāhmaṇa. Es gibt keine Anweisung, den Körper zu töten.
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa states that for a brahma-bandhu, punishments like shaving the head, confiscating wealth, and banishment are considered equivalent to killing—without prescribing physical execution.
In the context of Aśvatthāmā’s grievous crime, Kṛṣṇa guides that since he is a brahma-bandhu (born in a brāhmaṇa line but acting irreligiously), he should be severely disgraced and removed, rather than executed bodily.
The verse highlights proportionate justice: serious wrongdoing must be checked firmly, yet punishment should be guided by dharma—aiming to protect society and uphold moral order rather than acting from blind vengeance.