Shloka 27
Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā
श्रीभगवानुवाच वेत्थेदं द्रोणपुत्रस्य ब्राह्ममस्त्रं प्रदर्शितम् । नैवासौ वेद संहारं प्राणबाध उपस्थिते ॥ २७ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca vetthedaṁ droṇa-putrasya brāhmam astraṁ pradarśitam naivāsau veda saṁhāraṁ prāṇa-bādha upasthite
Sri Bhagavān bersabda: Ketahuilah daripada-Ku, ini ialah brahmāstra yang dilepaskan oleh putera Droṇa. Kerana takut akan maut yang mendekat, dia melancarkannya, namun dia tidak tahu cara menarik balik sinarnya.
The brahmāstra is similar to the modern nuclear weapon manipulated by atomic energy. The atomic energy works wholly on total combustibility, and so the brahmāstra also acts. It creates an intolerable heat similar to atomic radiation, but the difference is that the atomic bomb is a gross type of nuclear weapon, whereas the brahmāstra is a subtle type of weapon produced by chanting hymns. It is a different science, and in the days gone by such science was cultivated in the land of Bhārata-varṣa. The subtle science of chanting hymns is also material, but it has yet to be known by the modern material scientists. Subtle material science is not spiritual, but it has a direct relationship with the spiritual method, which is still subtler. A chanter of hymns knew how to apply the weapon as well as how to retract it. That was perfect knowledge. But the son of Droṇācārya, who made use of this subtle science, did not know how to retract. He applied it, being afraid of his imminent death, and thus the practice was not only improper but also irreligious. As the son of a brāhmaṇa, he should not have made so many mistakes, and for such gross negligence of duty he was to be punished by the Lord Himself.
FAQs
This verse states that Aśvatthāmā released the brahmāstra but did not know how to withdraw it, creating a deadly danger to life—highlighting the peril of misusing divine weapons.
In the narrative, Krishna informs the Pāṇḍavas that Aśvatthāmā, though capable of releasing the weapon, lacked the knowledge or qualification to retract it, so immediate protective action was required.
Power without responsibility is destructive: one should not use knowledge, authority, or technology without understanding its consequences and how to restrain it—especially when others’ well-being is at stake.