Shloka 3
Brahmaśirastra-pratisaṃhāra — Retraction and redirection of the supreme weapon
Sauptika Parva, Adhyāya 15
संह्वते परमास्त्रे5स्मिन् सर्वानस्मानशेषत: । पापकर्मा ध्रुवं द्रौणि: प्रधक्ष्यत्यस्त्रतेजसा,भरतश्रेष्ठ] उस समय उन्होंने हाथ जोड़कर उन दोनों महर्षियोंसे कहा--“मुनिवरो! मैंने तो इसी उद्देश्यसे यह अस्त्र छोड़ा था कि इसके द्वारा शत्रुका छोड़ा हुआ ब्रह्मास्त्र शान्त हो जाय। अब इस उत्तम अस्त्रको लौटा लेनेपर पापाचारी अभश्वत्थामा अपने अस्त्रके तेजसे अवश्य ही हम सब लोगोंको भस्म कर डालेगा
saṁhvate paramāstre 'smin sarvān asmān aśeṣataḥ | pāpakarmā dhruvaṁ drauṇiḥ pradhakṣyaty astratejasā ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Kapag binawi ang sukdulang sandatang ito, ang makasalanang anak ni Droṇa—si Aśvatthāman—ay tiyak na susunog sa ating lahat, walang maiiwan, sa naglalagablab na kapangyarihan ng sarili niyang sandata.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral danger of unleashing or mishandling ultimate weapons: a wicked agent, driven by sinful intent, can cause indiscriminate destruction. It underscores responsibility and restraint (dharma) in the use of power, especially in war.
In the Sauptika context, a supreme counter-weapon is being considered for withdrawal. The speaker warns that if it is recalled, Aśvatthāman (Drauṇi), described as sinful, will certainly use the force of his own missile to annihilate everyone present.