Shloka 8
अश्वत्थाम-शापः, परिक्षिद्भविष्यत्, मणि-न्यासः
Aśvatthāman’s Curse, Parikṣit’s Future, and the Mani’s Restitution
“श्रीकृष्ण! मेरे द्वारा चलाया गया वह अस्त्र विराटपुत्री उत्तराके गर्भपर ही, जिसकी तुम रक्षा करना चाहते हो, गिरेगा” ।।
śrībhagavān uvāca—amoghaḥ paramāstrasya pātas tasya bhaviṣyati | sa tu garbho mṛto jāto dīrgham āyur avāpsyati ||
The Blessed Lord said: “The descent of that supreme missile will not be in vain; it will indeed fall. Yet the child in the womb will be born as if dead, and thereafter will regain life and attain a long lifespan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when a catastrophic act has been set in motion, dharma seeks both accountability and protection of the innocent. Kṛṣṇa does not simply erase the weapon’s consequence; he limits and redirects its effect so that the unborn heir—crucial for the future of dharma—survives and lives long.
A supreme astric weapon is aimed at Uttarā’s womb. Kṛṣṇa declares that the weapon’s fall will occur (it will not be rendered futile), but the fetus will be born as if dead and then restored to life, ultimately gaining a long lifespan—preserving the Kuru line’s continuation.