Shloka 31
Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā
दृष्ट्वास्त्रतेजस्तु तयोस्त्रील्लोकान् प्रदहन्महत् । दह्यमाना: प्रजा: सर्वा: सांवर्तकममंसत ॥ ३१ ॥
dṛṣṭvāstra-tejas tu tayos trīl lokān pradahan mahat dahyamānāḥ prajāḥ sarvāḥ sāṁvartakam amaṁsata
Seluruh makhluk di tiga dunia hangus oleh panas gabungan kedua senjata itu. Semua teringat akan api sāṁvartaka yang muncul pada saat pralaya, pemusnahan alam.
The three worlds are the upper, lower and intermediate planets of the universe. Although the brahmāstra was released on this earth, the heat produced by the combination of both weapons covered all the universe, and all the populations on all the different planets began to feel the heat excessively and compared it to that of the sāṁvartaka fire. No planet, therefore, is without living beings, as less intelligent materialistic men think.
FAQs
This verse describes the weapon’s radiance as so fierce that it seemed to burn the three worlds, making all beings think a pralaya-like dissolution fire had come.
Because the combined blazing force of the astras in the Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā conflict appeared to scorch everything, resembling the saṁvartaka fire associated with universal devastation.
Unchecked power—whether weapons, technology, or anger—can harm innocents; dharma requires restraint and protection of life, not victory at any cost.