Shloka 12
अश्वत्थाम-शापः, परिक्षिद्भविष्यत्, मणि-न्यासः
Aśvatthāman’s Curse, Parikṣit’s Future, and the Mani’s Restitution
परंतु तुझे सभी मनीषी पुरुष कायर, पापी, बारंबार पापकर्म करनेवाला और बाल- हत्यारा समझते हैं। इसलिये तू इस पाप-कर्मका फल प्राप्त कर ले। आजसे तीन हजार वर्षोतक तू इस पृथ्वीपर भटकता फिरेगा। तुझे कभी कहीं और किसीके साथ भी बातचीत करनेका सुख नहीं मिल सकेगा। तू अकेला ही निर्जन-स्थानोंमें घूमता रहेगा ।।
bhavitrī na hi te kṣudra janamadhyeṣu saṃsthitiḥ | pūyaśoṇitagandhī ca durgakāntārasaṃśrayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “All the wise deem you a coward, a sinner who repeats his evil deeds, and a slayer of children. Therefore, receive the fruit of that sin. From this day, for three thousand years, you shall roam upon this earth. Never will you taste the comfort of conversation with anyone, anywhere. Alone you will wander in deserted places. Wretch—there will be no place for you among people. Reeking of pus and blood, you will take refuge in desolate strongholds and trackless wilderness.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Adharma—especially repeated, cruel wrongdoing—leads to social and spiritual degradation: the wrongdoer loses the right to live among people and is driven into isolation and suffering as a consequence of karma.
In the aftermath of the night massacre (Sauptika), a condemnation/curse is being pronounced: the offender is declared unfit to remain among humans and is described as wandering in desolate places, marked by a foul, diseased condition.