Shloka 26
अश्वत्थाम-शापः, परिक्षिद्भविष्यत्, मणि-न्यासः
Aśvatthāman’s Curse, Parikṣit’s Future, and the Mani’s Restitution
ततो राज्ञाभ्यनुज्ञातो भीमसेनो महाबल: । प्रददौ त॑ मर्णिं दिव्यं वचन चेदमब्रवीत्
tato rājñābhyanujñāto bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ | pradadau taṁ maṇiṁ divyaṁ vacanaṁ cedam abravīt ||
Then, having received the king’s permission, the mighty Bhīmasena presented that divine jewel and spoke these words. The moment underscores disciplined conduct even amid the aftermath of violence: power is restrained by rightful authority, and prized spoils are surrendered through proper consent rather than seized by mere force.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a powerful warrior acts within dharma: he seeks rightful permission and then relinquishes a precious object properly. Strength is shown not only in battle but in restraint, obedience to legitimate authority, and ethical handling of valuables gained in wartime.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīma, after obtaining the king’s consent, hands over a divine jewel and then begins to speak, setting up the next lines of dialogue and indicating a formal, sanctioned transfer rather than an impulsive act.