Shloka 5
Brahmāstra-pratisaṃhāraḥ, Parīkṣit-nāmakaraṇam, Nagarotsava-varṇanam
Withdrawal of the Brahmāstra; Naming of Parīkṣit; Description of Civic Festivities
प्रतिलभ्य तु सा संज्ञामुत्तरा भरतर्षभ । अड्कमारोप्य त॑ पुत्रमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्,भरतश्रेष्ठ! थोड़ी देर बाद उत्तरा जब होशमें आयी, तब उस मरे हुए पुत्रको गोदमें लेकर यों कहने लगी--
pratilabhya tu sā saṁjñām uttarā bharatarṣabha | aṅkam āropya taṁ putram idaṁ vacanam abravīt ||
भरतश्रेष्ठ! थोड़ी देर बाद उत्तरा को होश आया। तब वह उस मृत पुत्र को गोद में लेकर इस प्रकार कहने लगी—
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and emotional consequences of violence: even when dharma is pursued through conflict, its aftermath is borne by the vulnerable—here, a mother confronting the loss of her child—inviting compassion and moral reflection.
Uttarā, having fainted, regains consciousness. She lifts her son onto her lap and begins to speak, setting up a lament or appeal that follows in the subsequent verses.