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 ||
Waiśaṃpāyana berkata: “Wahai pelindung rakyat, aku telah membawa permata surgawi ini. Permata ini senantiasa berkuasa menghidupkan kembali para raja ular yang gugur mati di medan perang. Ambillah dan letakkan di dada ayahmu; maka engkau akan melihat Arjuna, putra Kuntī, hidup kembali.”
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.