Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 51
Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā
तत्राहामर्षितो भीमस्तस्य श्रेयान् वध: स्मृत: । न भर्तुर्नात्मनश्चार्थे योऽहन् सुप्तान् शिशून् वृथा ॥ ५१ ॥
tatrāhāmarṣito bhīmas tasya śreyān vadhaḥ smṛtaḥ na bhartur nātmanaś cārthe yo ’han suptān śiśūn vṛthā
Bhīma, however, angrily dissented and urged that the culprit be slain, for he had uselessly murdered sleeping children—neither for his own interest nor for his master’s.
FAQs
In this verse Bhima states that Ashvatthama’s execution is the proper response because he killed sleeping children pointlessly, not even for his master’s cause—an act condemned as grave adharma.
Bhima is outraged by the cowardly slaughter of sleeping children and argues that such a crime warrants death, since it violates righteous conduct and cannot be justified as duty to a master or self-interest.
It teaches moral accountability: harming the innocent—especially the defenseless—can never be excused by loyalty, anger, or convenience, and society must uphold justice rooted in dharma.