Shloka 56
Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā
विमुच्य रशनाबद्धं बालहत्याहतप्रभम् । तेजसा मणिना हीनं शिबिरान्निरयापयत् ॥ ५६ ॥
vimucya raśanā-baddhaṁ bāla-hatyā-hata-prabham tejasā maṇinā hīnaṁ śibirān nirayāpayat
Dia [Asvatthama] telah kehilangan seri tubuhnya akibat pembunuhan bayi, dan kini, lebih-lebih lagi, setelah kehilangan permata dari kepalanya, dia kehilangan lebih banyak kekuatan. Oleh itu, dia dilepaskan dan diusir dari kem.
Thus being insulted, the humiliated Aśvatthāmā was simultaneously killed and not killed by the intelligence of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna.
FAQs
This verse states that Aśvatthāmā, whose splendor was ruined by the sin of killing the sons, was released from bondage but banished from the camp, deprived of his radiance and stripped of his jewel.
Because his act—killing the children—was a grievous sin, and the resolution was to spare his life yet impose a humiliating, dharmic punishment by removing his jewel and expelling him.
It highlights accountable justice: when wrongdoing occurs, consequences should protect others and uphold dharma, while avoiding needless cruelty born of revenge.