Shloka 28
Brahmaśirastra-pratisaṃhāra — Retraction and redirection of the supreme weapon
Sauptika Parva, Adhyāya 15
द्रौणिस्वाच पाण्डवैर्यानि रत्नानि यच्चान्यत् कौरवैर्धनम् | अवाप्तमिह तेभ्यो5यं मणिर्मम विशिष्यते
drauṇir uvāca pāṇḍavair yāni ratnāni yac cānyat kauravair dhanam | avāptam iha tebhyo ’yaṁ maṇir mama viśiṣyate ||
Wika ni Aśvatthāmā: “Anuman ang mga hiyas na natamo ng mga Pāṇḍava, at anumang iba pang yaman na nakamit ng mga Kaurava rito—ang hiyas na ito sa akin ay higit na mahalaga kaysa sa lahat.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in a morally shattered moment, a person may cling to an object as ‘supreme wealth.’ It invites reflection on right valuation: true worth is not merely material or prestigious, and attachment fueled by pride can obscure dharmic discernment.
Aśvatthāmā speaks about his maṇi, claiming it exceeds all jewels and wealth acquired by both Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas. The statement occurs within the tense aftermath of the night-raid events of the Sauptika Parva, where he asserts the exceptional value of his gem.