Shloka 16
Book 10, Adhyāya 12: Aśvatthāmā’s Request for the Cakra and the Brahmaśiras Context
स राजन् प्रीयमाणेन मयाप्युक्त: कृताज्जलिः । याचमान: प्रयत्नेन मत्तो<5स्त्रं भरतर्षभ,“भरतश्रेष्ठ) वह हाथ जोड़कर बड़े प्रयत्नके द्वारा मुझसे अस्त्रकी याचना कर रहा था, तब मैंने भी प्रसन्नतापूर्वक ही उससे कहा--
sa rājan prīyamāṇena mayāpy uktaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ | yācamānaḥ prayatnena matto 'straṃ bharatarṣabha ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O king, that man, with palms joined in reverence, was earnestly begging me for a weapon. Pleased by his demeanor and intent, I too spoke to him favorably.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of granting power: a weapon (astra) is not merely an object but a responsibility. The petitioner’s humility and earnestness move the giver, yet the narrative context of war implies that such gifts can shape outcomes and must be considered carefully.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates to the king that a person approached him with folded hands and persistent effort, requesting an astra. Seeing the supplicant’s respectful posture and determination, Vaiśaṃpāyana responds favorably.