Shloka 13
धृतराष्ट्राश्रमगमनम् — The Pandavas’ Procession to Dhritarashtra’s Hermitage
यश्न पाण्डवदायादो हत: षड्भिम्महारथै: । स सोम इह सौभद्रो योगादेवाभवद् द्विधा,भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण नारायण ऋषिके अवतार हैं। नकुल और सहदेव दोनोंको अश्विनीकुमार समझो। कल्याणि! जो केवल वैर बढ़ानेके लिये उत्पन्न हुआ था और कौरव- पाण्डवोंमें संघर्ष पैदा करानेवाला था, उस कर्णको सूर्य समझो। जिस पाण्डवपुत्रको छः महारथियोंने मिलकर मारा था, उस सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युके रूपमें साक्षात् चन्द्रमा ही इस भूतलपर अवतीर्ण हुए थे। वे अपने योगबलसे दो रूपोंमें प्रकट हो गये थे (एक रूपसे चन्द्रलोकमें रहते थे और दूसरेसे भूतलपर)
yasmin pāṇḍava-dāyādo hataḥ ṣaḍbhir mahārathaiḥ | sa soma iha saubhadro yogād evābhavad dvidhā ||
Vyāsa said: “That heir of the Pāṇḍavas who was slain by six great chariot-warriors—he, the son of Subhadrā (Abhimanyu), was in truth Soma, the Moon, descended here upon the earth. By the power of yoga he manifested in two forms: in one aspect remaining in the lunar realm, and in another appearing among mortals.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse interprets a major wartime death through a dharmic-cosmic lens: beings of celestial status may incarnate for the restoration of order, and yogic power can allow a divine entity to manifest in more than one mode. It encourages seeing events not only as personal tragedy but also as part of a larger moral and cosmic framework.
Vyāsa identifies Abhimanyu—described as the Pāṇḍavas’ heir who was killed by six great warriors—as Soma (the Moon) incarnate on earth, stating that Soma appeared in a dual manner through yogic power.