Shloka 13
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
स तु नावाप त॑ शापं नष्ट: स हुतभुक् तदा । तस्माद् वो भयह्ृद् देवा: समुत्पत्स्यति पावकि:
sa tu nāvāpa taṁ śāpaṁ naṣṭaḥ sa hutabhuk tadā | tasmād vo bhayahṛd devāḥ samutpatsyati pāvakiḥ ||
Bhishma dijo: «Pero en verdad él no incurrió en esa maldición; fue anulada, y entonces llegó a ser Hutabhuk (el que consume las ofrendas: el Fuego). Por eso, oh dioses, el Fuego—el que disipa el temor—se alzará (de nuevo) entre vosotros.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that divine forces meant for protection and purification (Agni) ultimately reassert themselves for the welfare of the gods and the world; even a ‘curse’ can be nullified when cosmic order (dharma) requires restoration and fear is to be dispelled.
Bhīṣma explains to the gods that the being in question did not truly fall under the curse; it was undone, and he became identified with Agni (Hutabhuk/Pāvaka). Hence Bhīṣma assures them that this fear-dispelling Fire will arise among them.