Shloka 3
Brahmaśirastra-pratisaṃhāra — Retraction and redirection of the supreme weapon
Sauptika Parva, Adhyāya 15
संह्वते परमास्त्रे5स्मिन् सर्वानस्मानशेषत: । पापकर्मा ध्रुवं द्रौणि: प्रधक्ष्यत्यस्त्रतेजसा
saṁhvate paramāstre 'smin sarvān asmān aśeṣataḥ | pāpakarmā dhruvaṁ drauṇiḥ pradhakṣyaty astratejasā ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „Wird diese höchste Waffe zurückgenommen, so wird der Sünder, der Sohn Droṇas (Aśvatthāman), uns alle gewiss durch die Glut seines eigenen Geschosses restlos verbrennen.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral danger of unleashing or mishandling ultimate weapons: a wicked agent, driven by sinful intent, can cause indiscriminate destruction. It underscores responsibility and restraint (dharma) in the use of power, especially in war.
In the Sauptika context, a supreme counter-weapon is being considered for withdrawal. The speaker warns that if it is recalled, Aśvatthāman (Drauṇi), described as sinful, will certainly use the force of his own missile to annihilate everyone present.