Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 13
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
स तु नावाप त॑ शापं नष्ट: स हुतभुक् तदा । तस्माद् वो भयह्ृद् देवा: समुत्पत्स्यति पावकि:
sa tu nāvāpa taṁ śāpaṁ naṣṭaḥ sa hutabhuk tadā | tasmād vo bhayahṛd devāḥ samutpatsyati pāvakiḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Ngunit sa katotohanan, hindi niya tinamo ang sumpang iyon; napawalang-bisa ito, at noon siya’y naging Hutabhuk (ang tumatanggap ng handog—ang Apoy). Kaya nga, O mga diyos, ang Apoy—na nag-aalis ng pangamba—ay muling lilitaw sa gitna ninyo.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that divine forces meant for protection and purification (Agni) ultimately reassert themselves for the welfare of the gods and the world; even a ‘curse’ can be nullified when cosmic order (dharma) requires restoration and fear is to be dispelled.
Bhīṣma explains to the gods that the being in question did not truly fall under the curse; it was undone, and he became identified with Agni (Hutabhuk/Pāvaka). Hence Bhīṣma assures them that this fear-dispelling Fire will arise among them.