Shloka 25
अश्वत्थाम-शापः, परिक्षिद्भविष्यत्, मणि-न्यासः
Aśvatthāman’s Curse, Parikṣit’s Future, and the Mani’s Restitution
वहाँ रथोंसे उतरकर वे महारथी वीर बड़ी उतावलीके साथ आकर शोकपीड़ित द्रपदकुमारी कृष्णासे मिले। वे स्वयं भी शोकसे अत्यन्त व्याकुल हो रहे थे ।।
tām upetya nirānandāṁ duḥkhaśokasamanvitām | parivārya vyatiṣṭhanta pāṇḍavāḥ sahakeśavāḥ ||
Having approached Draupadī, who was joyless and overwhelmed by grief and sorrow, the Pāṇḍavas—together with Keśava (Kṛṣṇa)—surrounded her and remained there, standing close in solidarity. The scene underscores the ethical duty of kin and allies to offer presence, protection, and shared mourning in the wake of atrocity.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the aftermath of violence, dharma is expressed not only through justice but also through compassionate presence: standing with the afflicted, offering protection, and sharing the burden of grief rather than leaving the victim isolated.
The Pāṇḍavas, accompanied by Kṛṣṇa (Keśava), come to the sorrow-stricken Draupadī and gather around her, remaining close—an image of support and collective mourning following the night of slaughter described in the Sauptika Parva.