Shloka 23
अश्वत्थाम-शापः, परिक्षिद्भविष्यत्, मणि-न्यासः
Aśvatthāman’s Curse, Parikṣit’s Future, and the Mani’s Restitution
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततस्ते पुरुषव्याप्रा: सदश्वैरनिलोपमै: । अभ्ययु: सहदाशार्हा: शिबिरं पुनरेव हि
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tataste puruṣavyāprāḥ sadaśvair anilopamaiḥ | abhyayuḥ sahadāśārhāḥ śibiraṃ punar eva hi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then those vigorous heroes, accompanied by Dāśārha (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), swiftly rode back again to their camp on excellent horses, whose speed was like the wind. In the grim aftermath of night-violence, the verse underscores purposeful return and alertness—action taken with resolve amid the moral weight of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid the moral darkness of war’s aftermath, disciplined action and vigilance are required. The heroes’ swift return with Kṛṣṇa highlights purposeful movement under guidance, suggesting steadiness and responsibility rather than complacency.
After the events leading into this section of the Sauptika Parva, the heroes—accompanied by Śrī Kṛṣṇa—mount excellent, wind-swift horses and return again to their military camp.