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 ||
阿湿婆他摩说道：“无论般度五子得到了多少珍宝，无论俱卢族在此又聚敛了多少财物——我这颗宝珠的价值都胜过一切。”
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.