अश्वत्थाम-शापः, परिक्षिद्भविष्यत्, मणि-न्यासः
Aśvatthāman’s Curse, Parikṣit’s Future, and the Mani’s Restitution
एवं ब्रुवाणं गोविन्द सात्वतां प्रवरं तदा । द्रौणि: परमसंरब्ध: प्रत्युवाचेदमुत्तरम्,सात्वतवंशशिरोमणि भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण जब इस प्रकार कह रहे थे, उस समय द्रोणकुमार अश्वत्थामा अत्यन्त कुपित हो उठा और उन्हें उत्तर देता हुआ बोला--
evaṁ bruvāṇaṁ govindaṁ sātvātāṁ pravaraṁ tadā | drauṇiḥ paramasaṁrabdhaḥ pratyuvācedam uttaram ||
Enquanto Govinda, o mais eminente dos Sātvatas, falava desse modo, Aśvatthāmā, filho de Droṇa, tomado de fúria extrema, respondeu com as seguintes palavras.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse contrasts measured speech with uncontrolled rage. It signals how anger (krodha) can override discernment and dharma, pushing a warrior toward ethically disastrous choices—an important Mahābhārata theme where inner states shape outer violence.
Kṛṣṇa (Govinda) has just spoken; immediately Aśvatthāmā, identified as Droṇa’s son (Drauṇi), becomes intensely enraged and begins his reply. This sets up the ensuing exchange and the grim actions associated with the Sauptika episode.