Shloka 17
Uddhava Recalls Kṛṣṇa’s Mission: Earth’s Burden, Royal Dharma, and the Prelude to Dvārakā’s Withdrawal
उत्तरायां धृत: पूरोर्वंश: साध्वभिमन्युना । स वै द्रौण्यस्त्रसंप्लुष्ट: पुनर्भगवता धृत: ॥ १७ ॥
uttarāyāṁ dhṛtaḥ pūror vaṁśaḥ sādhv-abhimanyunā sa vai drauṇy-astra-sampluṣṭaḥ punar bhagavatā dhṛtaḥ
ਉੱਤਰਾ ਦੇ ਗਰਭ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਹਾਵੀਰ ਅਭਿਮਨ੍ਯੂ ਤੋਂ ਪੂਰੂ ਵੰਸ਼ ਦਾ ਜੋ ਭ੍ਰੂਣ ਧਾਰਿਤ ਹੋਇਆ ਸੀ, ਉਹ ਦ੍ਰੋਣਪੁੱਤਰ ਦੇ ਅਸਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਲ ਸੜ ਗਿਆ; ਪਰ ਬਾਅਦ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਫਿਰ ਧਾਰ ਕੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕੀਤੀ।
The embryonic body of Parīkṣit which was in formation after Uttarā’s pregnancy by Abhimanyu, the great hero, was burned by the brahmāstra of Aśvatthāmā, but a second body was given by the Lord within the womb, and thus the descendant of Pūru was saved. This incident is the direct proof that the body and the living entity, the spiritual spark, are different. When the living entity takes shelter in the womb of a woman through the injection of the semen of a man, there is an emulsification of the man’s and woman’s discharges, and thus a body is formed the size of a pea, gradually developing into a complete body. But if the developing embryo is destroyed in some way or other, the living entity has to take shelter in another body or in the womb of another woman. The particular living entity who was selected to be the descendant of Mahārāja Pūru, or the Pāṇḍavas, was not an ordinary living entity, and by the superior will of the Lord he was destined to be the successor to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira. Therefore, when Aśvatthāmā destroyed the embryo of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the Lord, by His own internal potency, entered into the womb of Uttarā by His plenary portion just to give audience to the would-be Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who was in great danger. By His appearance within the womb, the Lord encouraged the child and gave him complete protection in a new body by His omnipotency. By His power of omnipresence He was present both inside and outside of Uttarā and other members of the Pāṇḍava family.
FAQs
This verse states that although the heir in Uttarā’s womb was scorched by Aśvatthāmā’s weapon, Bhagavān personally protected him again—showing the Lord’s direct guardianship over His devotees and dharma’s continuation.
Śukadeva highlights Abhimanyu’s righteousness and purity of character; through such a virtuous devotee-hero, the Pūru dynasty was preserved, emphasizing how dharmic lives become instruments of divine purpose.
Even when outcomes seem destroyed—like a lineage threatened—this verse teaches steadiness in devotion and trust that the Lord can protect and restore what is essential for dharma and spiritual progress.