Shloka 49
Babhruvāhana’s Lament and Appeal for Expiation (प्रायश्चित्त-याचना)
अयं तु मे मणिर्दिव्य: समानीतो विशाम्पते । मृतान् मृतान् पन्नगेन्द्रानु यो जीवयति नित्यदा
ayaṁ tu me maṇir divyaḥ samānīto viśāṁpate | mṛtān mṛtān pannagendrān yo jīvayati nityadā ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana dijo: «Oh señor del pueblo, he traído esta joya celestial. Posee el poder constante de devolver la vida a los reyes de las serpientes que han caído muertos en la batalla. Tómala y colócala sobre el pecho de tu padre; entonces verás a Arjuna, hijo de Kuntī, volver a la vida».
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights compassionate intervention after violence: even amid the aftermath of war, the ethical impulse is to restore life and heal. It also underscores the idea that extraordinary power (a divine jewel) should be used for protection and restoration rather than domination.
A celestial jewel is presented to a ruler with the claim that it can revive those slain in battle—specifically serpent-kings. The speaker instructs that the jewel be placed on the ruler’s father’s chest so that Arjuna, Kuntī’s son, will be seen revived.