Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 57
Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā
वपनं द्रविणादानं स्थानान्निर्यापणं तथा । एष हि ब्रह्मबन्धूनां वधो नान्योऽस्ति दैहिक: ॥ ५७ ॥
vapanaṁ draviṇādānaṁ sthānān niryāpaṇaṁ tathā eṣa hi brahma-bandhūnāṁ vadho nānyo ’sti daihikaḥ
ମସ୍ତକ ମୁଣ୍ଡନ, ଧନ ହରଣ ଏବଂ ବାସସ୍ଥାନରୁ ନିର୍ବାସିତ କରିବା - ଏଗୁଡ଼ିକ ହେଉଛି ବ୍ରହ୍ମବନ୍ଧୁଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଧାରିତ ଦଣ୍ଡ। ଶରୀରକୁ ବଧ କରିବାର କୌଣସି ବିଧାନ ନାହିଁ।
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa states that for a brahma-bandhu, punishments like shaving the head, confiscating wealth, and banishment are considered equivalent to killing—without prescribing physical execution.
In the context of Aśvatthāmā’s grievous crime, Kṛṣṇa guides that since he is a brahma-bandhu (born in a brāhmaṇa line but acting irreligiously), he should be severely disgraced and removed, rather than executed bodily.
The verse highlights proportionate justice: serious wrongdoing must be checked firmly, yet punishment should be guided by dharma—aiming to protect society and uphold moral order rather than acting from blind vengeance.