Shloka 25
Book 10, Adhyāya 12: Aśvatthāmā’s Request for the Cakra and the Brahmaśiras Context
निवृत्तमनसं तस्मादभिप्रायाद् विचेतसम् | अहमामन्त्र्य संविग्नमश्व॒त्थामानमन्रुवम्,“जब उस संकल्पसे उसका मन हट गया और वह दु:ःखसे अचेत एवं उद्विग्न हो गया, तब मैंने अश्वत्थामाको बुलाकर पूछा--
nivṛttamanasaṃ tasmād abhiprāyād vicetasam | aham āmantrya saṃvignam aśvatthāmānam anruvam ||
When his mind turned away from that intention and he became distraught—overwhelmed by grief and agitation—I summoned Aśvatthāmā and questioned him—
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical-narrative pivot: when a person’s resolve collapses under grief and agitation, responsible inquiry and guidance become necessary. It implicitly warns that decisions made in mental turmoil can lead to grave consequences, so one should pause, reflect, and seek counsel rather than act from distress.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Aśvatthāmā has withdrawn from a particular intention and is left confused and deeply agitated. Seeing his disturbed state, the narrator (speaking in the first person within the episode) summons Aśvatthāmā and questions him to learn what has happened and what he intends to do next.