Shloka 28
Brahmaśirastra-pratisaṃhāra — Retraction and redirection of the supreme weapon
Sauptika Parva, Adhyāya 15
द्रौणिस्वाच पाण्डवैर्यानि रत्नानि यच्चान्यत् कौरवैर्धनम् | अवाप्तमिह तेभ्यो5यं मणिर्मम विशिष्यते
drauṇir uvāca pāṇḍavair yāni ratnāni yac cānyat kauravair dhanam | avāptam iha tebhyo ’yaṁ maṇir mama viśiṣyate ||
ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥಾಮನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಪಾಂಡವರು ಪಡೆದಿರುವ ಎಲ್ಲ ರತ್ನಗಳೂ, ಕೌರವರು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಗಳಿಸಿದ ಇತರ ಧನವೂ—ಅವುಗಳೆಲ್ಲಕ್ಕಿಂತ ನನ್ನ ಈ ಮಣಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟವಾಗಿದೆ.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in a morally shattered moment, a person may cling to an object as ‘supreme wealth.’ It invites reflection on right valuation: true worth is not merely material or prestigious, and attachment fueled by pride can obscure dharmic discernment.
Aśvatthāmā speaks about his maṇi, claiming it exceeds all jewels and wealth acquired by both Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas. The statement occurs within the tense aftermath of the night-raid events of the Sauptika Parva, where he asserts the exceptional value of his gem.