Shloka 17
Uttarā-vilāpaḥ and Kṛṣṇasya satya-vacanenābhi-mañyu-jasyābhijīvanam
Uttarā’s Lament and the Revival of Abhimanyu’s Son by Krishna’s Truth-Act
सा त्वां प्रसाद्य शिरसा याचे शत्रुनिबर्हणम् । प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यामि गोविन्द नायं संजीवते यदि,“गोविन्द! आप शत्रुओंका संहार करनेवाले हैं। मैं आपके चरणोंमें मस्तक रखकर आपको प्रसन्न करके आपसे इस बालकके प्राणोंकी भीख माँगती हूँ। यदि यह जीवित नहीं हुआ तो मैं भी अपने प्राण त्याग दूँगी
sā tvāṃ prasādya śirasā yāce śatrunibarhaṇam | prāṇāṃs tyakṣyāmi govinda nāyaṃ saṃjīvate yadi |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O Govinda, destroyer of foes—having bowed my head and sought to win your grace, I beg you for this child’s life. If he does not live, then I too will abandon my own life.” The plea frames mercy as a moral demand upon power: the supplicant appeals to Kṛṣṇa’s capacity to end enmity not only by force, but by compassion that preserves the innocent and restrains further suffering.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical appeal to compassion: true greatness in a protector is shown not only in defeating enemies but also in preserving life when mercy is warranted. The bowed head signifies humility and devotion, while the request frames saving the vulnerable as a dharmic responsibility of the powerful.
A woman, desperate to save a child, approaches Govinda (Kṛṣṇa). She bows her head to win his favor and begs for the child’s life, declaring that she will give up her own life if the child dies. Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates this plea as part of the unfolding events in the Aśvamedhika section.