Shloka 5
अश्वत्थाम-शापः, परिक्षिद्भविष्यत्, मणि-न्यासः
Aśvatthāman’s Curse, Parikṣit’s Future, and the Mani’s Restitution
एवं ब्रुवाणं गोविन्द सात्वतां प्रवरं तदा । द्रौणि: परमसंरब्ध: प्रत्युवाचेदमुत्तरम्
evaṁ bruvāṇaṁ govindaṁ sātvātāṁ pravaraṁ tadā | drauṇiḥ paramasaṁrabdhaḥ pratyuvācedam uttaram ||
As Govinda, the foremost of the Sātvatas, was speaking in this manner, Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāmā—seized by extreme fury—replied with the following words.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts measured speech with uncontrolled rage. It signals how anger (krodha) can override discernment and dharma, pushing a warrior toward ethically disastrous choices—an important Mahābhārata theme where inner states shape outer violence.
Kṛṣṇa (Govinda) has just spoken; immediately Aśvatthāmā, identified as Droṇa’s son (Drauṇi), becomes intensely enraged and begins his reply. This sets up the ensuing exchange and the grim actions associated with the Sauptika episode.