Shloka 8
अश्वत्थाम-शापः, परिक्षिद्भविष्यत्, मणि-न्यासः
Aśvatthāman’s Curse, Parikṣit’s Future, and the Mani’s Restitution
“श्रीकृष्ण! मेरे द्वारा चलाया गया वह अस्त्र विराटपुत्री उत्तराके गर्भपर ही, जिसकी तुम रक्षा करना चाहते हो, गिरेगा” ।। श्रीभगवानुवाच अमोघ: परमास्त्रस्य पातस्तस्य भविष्यति । स तु गर्भो मृतो जातो दीर्घमायुरवाप्स्यति
śrībhagavān uvāca—amoghaḥ paramāstrasya pātas tasya bhaviṣyati | sa tu garbho mṛto jāto dīrgham āyur avāpsyati ||
世尊は言われた。「その至上の飛び道具の落下は無駄とはならぬ。必ず落ちる。だが胎内の子は、死せるがごとく生まれ、のちに命を取り戻し、長寿を得るであろう。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when a catastrophic act has been set in motion, dharma seeks both accountability and protection of the innocent. Kṛṣṇa does not simply erase the weapon’s consequence; he limits and redirects its effect so that the unborn heir—crucial for the future of dharma—survives and lives long.
A supreme astric weapon is aimed at Uttarā’s womb. Kṛṣṇa declares that the weapon’s fall will occur (it will not be rendered futile), but the fetus will be born as if dead and then restored to life, ultimately gaining a long lifespan—preserving the Kuru line’s continuation.