Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 1 · Chapter 7
शौनक उवाच निर्गते नारदे सूत भगवान् बादरायण: । श्रुतवांस्तदभिप्रेतं तत: किमकरोद्विभु: ॥ १ ॥
saunaka uvaca nirgate narade suta bhagavan badarayanah srutavams tad-abhipretam tatah kim akarod vibhuh
Rsi Saunaka asked: O Suta, the great and transcendentally powerful Vyasadeva heard everything from Sri Narada Muni. So after Narada’s departure, what did Vyasadeva do?
सूत उवाच ब्रह्मनद्यां सरस्वत्यामाश्रम: पश्चिमे तटे । शम्याप्रास इति प्रोक्त ऋषीणां सत्रवर्धन: ॥ २ ॥
suta uvaca brahma-nadyam sarasvatyam asramah pascime tate samyaprasa iti prokta rsinam satra-vardhanah
Sri Suta said: On the western bank of the River Sarasvati, which is intimately related with the Vedas, there is a cottage for meditation at Samyaprasa which enlivens the transcendental activities of the sages.
तस्मिन् स्व आश्रमे व्यासो बदरीषण्डमण्डिते । आसीनोऽप उपस्पृश्य प्रणिदध्यौ मन: स्वयम् ॥ ३ ॥
tasmin sva asrame vyaso badari-sanda-mandite asino ’pa upasprsya pranidadhyau manah svayam
In that place, Srila Vyasadeva, in his own asrama, which was surrounded by berry trees, sat down to meditate after touching water for purification.
भक्तियोगेन मनसि सम्यक् प्रणिहितेऽमले । अपश्यत्पुरुषं पूर्णं मायां च तदपाश्रयम् ॥ ४ ॥
bhakti-yogena manasi samyak pranihite ’male apasyat purusam purnam mayam ca tad-apasrayam
Thus he fixed his mind, perfectly engaging it by linking it in devotional service (bhakti-yoga) without any tinge of materialism, and thus he saw the Absolute Personality of Godhead along with His external energy, which was under full control.
यया सम्मोहितो जीव आत्मानं त्रिगुणात्मकम् । परोऽपि मनुतेऽनर्थं तत्कृतं चाभिपद्यते ॥ ५ ॥
yaya sammohito jiva atmanam tri-gunatmakam paro ’pi manute ’nartham tat-krtam cabhipadyate
Due to this external energy, the living entity, although transcendental to the three modes of material nature, thinks of himself as a material product and thus undergoes the reactions of material miseries.
अनर्थोपशमं साक्षाद्भक्तियोगमधोक्षजे । लोकस्याजानतो विद्वांश्चक्रे सात्वतसंहिताम् ॥ ६ ॥
anarthopasamam saksad bhakti-yogam adhoksaje lokasyajanato vidvams cakre satvata-samhitam
The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vyasadeva compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth.
यस्यां वै श्रूयमाणायां कृष्णे परमपूरुषे । भक्तिरुत्पद्यते पुंस: शोकमोहभयापहा ॥ ७ ॥
yasyam vai sruyamanayam krsne parama-puruse bhaktir utpadyate pumsah soka-moha-bhayapaha
Simply by giving aural reception to this Vedic literature, the feeling for loving devotional service to Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion and fearfulness.
स संहितां भागवतीं कृत्वानुक्रम्य चात्मजम् । शुकमध्यापयामास निवृत्तिनिरतं मुनि: ॥ ८ ॥
sa samhitam bhagavatim krtvanukramya catma-jam sukam adhyapayam asa nivrtti-niratam munih
The great sage Vyasadeva, after compiling the Srimad-Bhagavatam and revising it, taught it to his own son, Sri Sukadeva Gosvami, who was already engaged in self-realization.
शौनक उवाच स वै निवृत्तिनिरत: सर्वत्रोपेक्षको मुनि: । कस्य वा बृहतीमेतामात्माराम: समभ्यसत् ॥ ९ ॥
saunaka uvaca sa vai nivrtti-niratah sarvatropeksako munih kasya va brhatim etam atmaramah samabhyasat
Sri Saunaka asked Suta Gosvami: Sri Sukadeva Gosvami was already on the path of self-realization, and thus he was pleased with his own self. So why did he take the trouble to undergo the study of such a vast literature?
सूत उवाच आत्मारामाश्च मुनयो निर्ग्रन्था अप्युरुक्रमे । कुर्वन्त्यहैतुकीं भक्तिमित्थम्भूतगुणो हरि: ॥ १० ॥
suta uvaca atmaramas ca munayo nirgrantha apy urukrame kurvanty ahaitukim bhaktim ittham-bhuta-guno harih
All different varieties of atmaramas (those who take pleasure in atma, or spirit self), especially those established on the path of self-realization, though freed from all kinds of material bondage, desire to render unalloyed devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead. This means that the Lord possesses transcendental qualities and therefore can attract everyone, including liberated souls.
हरेर्गुणाक्षिप्तमतिर्भगवान् बादरायणि: । अध्यगान्महदाख्यानं नित्यं विष्णुजनप्रिय: ॥ ११ ॥
harer gunaksipta-matir bhagavan badarayanih adhyagan mahad akhyanam nityam visnu-jana-priyah
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami, son of Srila Vyasadeva, was not only transcendentally powerful. He was also very dear to the devotees of the Lord. Thus he underwent the study of this great narration (Srimad-Bhagavatam).
परीक्षितोऽथ राजर्षेर्जन्मकर्मविलापनम् । संस्थां च पाण्डुपुत्राणां वक्ष्ये कृष्णकथोदयम् ॥ १२ ॥
pariksito ’tha rajarser janma-karma-vilapanam samstham ca pandu-putranam vaksye krsna-kathodayam
Suta Gosvami thus addressed the rsis headed by Saunaka: Now I shall begin the transcendental narration of the Lord Sri Krsna and topics of the birth, activities and deliverance of King Pariksit, the sage amongst kings, as well as topics of the renunciation of the worldly order by the sons of Pandu.
यदा मृधे कौरवसृञ्जयानां वीरेष्वथो वीरगतिं गतेषु । वृकोदराविद्धगदाभिमर्श- भग्नोरुदण्डे धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रे ॥ १३ ॥ भर्तु: प्रियं द्रौणिरिति स्म पश्यन् कृष्णासुतानां स्वपतां शिरांसि । उपाहरद्विप्रियमेव तस्य जुगुप्सितं कर्म विगर्हयन्ति ॥ १४ ॥
yada mrdhe kaurava-srnjayanam viresv atho vira-gatim gatesu vrkodaraviddha-gadabhimarsa- bhagnoru-dande dhrtarastra-putre bhartuh priyam draunir iti sma pasyan krsna-sutanam svapatam siramsi upaharad vipriyam eva tasya jugupsitam karma vigarhayanti
When the respective warriors of both camps, namely the Kauravas and the Pandavas, were killed on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra and the dead warriors obtained their deserved destinations, and when the son of Dhrtarastra fell down lamenting, his spine broken, being beaten by the club of Bhimasena, the son of Dronacarya [Asvatthama] beheaded the five sleeping sons of Draupadi and delivered the heads as a prize to his master, foolishly thinking that he would be pleased. Duryodhana, however, disapproved of the heinous act, and he was not pleased in the least.
माता शिशूनां निधनं सुतानां निशम्य घोरं परितप्यमाना । तदारुदद्वाष्पकलाकुलाक्षी तां सान्त्वयन्नाह किरीटमाली ॥ १५ ॥
mata sisunam nidhanam sutanam nisamya ghoram paritapyamana tadarudad vaspa-kalakulaksi tam santvayann aha kiritamali
Draupadi, the mother of the five children of the Pandavas, after hearing of the massacre of her sons, began to cry in distress with eyes full of tears. Trying to pacify her in her great loss, Arjuna spoke to her thus:
तदा शुचस्ते प्रमृजामि भद्रे यद्ब्रह्मबन्धो: शिर आततायिन: । गाण्डीवमुक्तैर्विशिखैरुपाहरे त्वाक्रम्य यत्स्नास्यसि दग्धपुत्रा ॥ १६ ॥
tada sucas te pramrjami bhadre yad brahma-bandhoh sira atatayinah gandiva-muktair visikhair upahare tvakramya yat snasyasi dagdha-putra
O gentle lady, when I present you with the head of that brahmana, after beheading him with arrows from my Gandiva bow, I shall then wipe the tears from your eyes and pacify you. Then, after burning your sons’ bodies, you can take your bath standing on his head.
इति प्रियां वल्गुविचित्रजल्पै: स सान्त्वयित्वाच्युतमित्रसूत: । अन्वाद्रवद्दंशित उग्रधन्वा कपिध्वजो गुरुपुत्रं रथेन ॥ १७ ॥
iti priyam valgu-vicitra-jalpaih sa santvayitvacyuta-mitra-sutah anvadravad damsita ugra-dhanva kapi-dhvajo guru-putram rathena
Arjuna, who is guided by the infallible Lord as friend and driver, thus satisfied the dear lady by such statements. Then he dressed in armor and armed himself with furious weapons, and getting into his chariot, he set out to follow Asvatthama, the son of his martial teacher.
तमापतन्तं स विलक्ष्य दूरात् कुमारहोद्विग्नमना रथेन । पराद्रवत्प्राणपरीप्सुरुर्व्यां यावद्गमं रुद्रभयाद्यथा क: ॥ १८ ॥
tam apatantam sa vilaksya durat kumara-hodvigna-mana rathena paradravat prana-paripsur urvyam yavad-gamam rudra-bhayad yatha kah
Asvatthama, the murderer of the princes, seeing from a great distance Arjuna coming at him with great speed, fled in his chariot, panic stricken, just to save his life, as Brahma fled in fear from Siva.
यदाशरणमात्मानमैक्षत श्रान्तवाजिनम् । अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरो मेने आत्मत्राणं द्विजात्मज: ॥ १९ ॥
yadasaranam atmanam aiksata sranta-vajinam astram brahma-siro mene atma-tranam dvijatmajah
When the son of the brahmana (Asvatthama) saw that his horses were tired, he considered that there was no alternative for protection outside of his using the ultimate weapon, the brahmastra (nuclear weapon).
अथोपस्पृश्य सलिलं सन्दधे तत्समाहित: । अजानन्नपि संहारं प्राणकृच्छ्र उपस्थिते ॥ २० ॥
athopasprsya salilam sandadhe tat samahitah ajanann api samharam prana-krcchra upasthite
Since his life was in danger, he touched water in sanctity and concentrated upon the chanting of the hymns for throwing nuclear weapons, although he did not know how to withdraw such weapons.
तत: प्रादुष्कृतं तेज: प्रचण्डं सर्वतोदिशम् । प्राणापदमभिप्रेक्ष्य विष्णुं जिष्णुरुवाच ह ॥ २१ ॥
tatah praduskrtam tejah pracandam sarvato disam pranapadam abhipreksya visnum jisnur uvaca ha
Thereupon a glaring light spread in all directions. It was so fierce that Arjuna thought his own life in danger, and so he began to address Lord Sri Krsna.
अर्जुन उवाच कृष्ण कृष्ण महाबाहो भक्तानामभयङ्कर । त्वमेको दह्यमानानामपवर्गोऽसि संसृते: ॥ २२ ॥
arjuna uvaca krsna krsna maha-baho bhaktanam abhayankara tvam eko dahyamananam apavargo ’si samsrteh
Arjuna said: O my Lord Sri Krsna, You are the almighty Personality of Godhead. There is no limit to Your different energies. Therefore only You are competent to instill fearlessness in the hearts of Your devotees. Everyone in the flames of material miseries can find the path of liberation in You only.
त्वमाद्य: पुरुष: साक्षादीश्वर: प्रकृते: पर: । मायां व्युदस्य चिच्छक्त्या कैवल्ये स्थित आत्मनि ॥ २३ ॥
tvam adyah purusah saksad isvarah prakrteh parah mayam vyudasya cic-chaktya kaivalye sthita atmani
You are the original Personality of Godhead who expands Himself all over the creations and is transcendental to material energy. You have cast away the effects of the material energy by dint of Your spiritual potency. You are always situated in eternal bliss and transcendental knowledge.
स एव जीवलोकस्य मायामोहितचेतस: । विधत्से स्वेन वीर्येण श्रेयो धर्मादिलक्षणम् ॥ २४ ॥
sa eva jiva-lokasya maya-mohita-cetasah vidhatse svena viryena sreyo dharmadi-laksanam
And yet, though You are beyond the purview of the material energy, You execute the four principles of liberation characterized by religion and so on for the ultimate good of the conditioned souls.
तथायं चावतारस्ते भुवो भारजिहीर्षया । स्वानां चानन्यभावानामनुध्यानाय चासकृत् ॥ २५ ॥
tathayam cavataras te bhuvo bhara-jihirsaya svanam cananya-bhavanam anudhyanaya casakrt
Thus You descend as an incarnation to remove the burden of the world and to benefit Your friends, especially those who are Your exclusive devotees and are rapt in meditation upon You.
किमिदं स्वित्कुतो वेति देवदेव न वेद्म्यहम् । सर्वतोमुखमायाति तेज: परमदारुणम् ॥ २६ ॥
kim idam svit kuto veti deva-deva na vedmy aham sarvato mukham ayati tejah parama-darunam
O Lord of lords, how is it that this dangerous effulgence is spreading all around? Where does it come from? I do not understand it.
श्रीभगवानुवाच वेत्थेदं द्रोणपुत्रस्य ब्राह्ममस्त्रं प्रदर्शितम् । नैवासौ वेद संहारं प्राणबाध उपस्थिते ॥ २७ ॥
sri-bhagavan uvaca vetthedam drona-putrasya brahmam astram pradarsitam naivasau veda samharam prana-badha upasthite
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Know from Me that this is the act of the son of Drona. He has thrown the hymns of nuclear energy (brahmastra), and he does not know how to retract the glare. He has helplessly done this, being afraid of imminent death.
न ह्यस्यान्यतमं किञ्चिदस्त्रं प्रत्यवकर्शनम् । जह्यस्त्रतेज उन्नद्धमस्त्रज्ञो ह्यस्त्रतेजसा ॥ २८ ॥
na hy asyanyatamam kincid astram pratyavakarsanam jahy astra-teja unnaddham astra-jno hy astra-tejasa
O Arjuna, only another brahmastra can counteract this weapon. Since you are expert in the military science, subdue this weapon’s glare with the power of your own weapon.
सूत उवाच श्रुत्वा भगवता प्रोक्तं फाल्गुन: परवीरहा । स्पृष्ट्वापस्तं परिक्रम्य ब्राह्मं ब्राह्मास्त्रं सन्दधे ॥ २९ ॥
suta uvaca srutva bhagavata proktam phalgunah para-vira-ha sprstvapas tam parikramya brahmam brahmastram sandadhe
Sri Suta Gosvami said: Hearing this from the Personality of Godhead, Arjuna touched water for purification, and after circumambulating Lord Sri Krsna, he cast his brahmastra weapon to counteract the other one.
संहत्यान्योन्यमुभयोस्तेजसी शरसंवृते । आवृत्य रोदसी खं च ववृधातेऽर्कवह्निवत् ॥ ३० ॥
samhatyanyonyam ubhayos tejasi sara-samvrte avrtya rodasi kham ca vavrdhate ’rka-vahnivat
When the rays of the two brahmastras combined, a great circle of fire, like the disc of the sun, covered all outer space and the whole firmament of planes.
दृष्ट्वास्त्रतेजस्तु तयोस्त्रील्लोकान् प्रदहन्महत् । दह्यमाना: प्रजा: सर्वा: सांवर्तकममंसत ॥ ३१ ॥
drstvastra-tejas tu tayos tril lokan pradahan mahat dahyamanah prajah sarvah samvartakam amamsata
All the population of the three worlds was scorched by the combined heat of the weapons. Everyone was reminded of the samvartaka fire which takes place at the time of annihilation.
प्रजोपद्रवमालक्ष्य लोकव्यतिकरं च तम् । मतं च वासुदेवस्य सञ्जहारार्जुनो द्वयम् ॥ ३२ ॥
prajopadravam alaksya loka-vyatikaram ca tam matam ca vasudevasya sanjahararjuno dvayam
Thus seeing the disturbance of the general populace and the imminent destruction of the planes, Arjuna at once retracted both brahmastra weapons, as Lord Sri Krsna desired.
तत आसाद्य तरसा दारुणं गौतमीसुतम् । बबन्धामर्षताम्राक्ष: पशुं रशनया यथा ॥ ३३ ॥
tata asadya tarasa darunam gautami-sutam babandhamarsa-tamraksah pasum rasanaya yatha
Arjuna, his eyes blazing in anger like two red balls of copper, dexterously arrested the son of Gautami and bound him with ropes like an animal.
शिबिराय निनीषन्तं रज्ज्वा बद्ध्वा रिपुं बलात् । प्राहार्जुनं प्रकुपितो भगवानम्बुजेक्षण: ॥ ३४ ॥
sibiraya ninisantam rajjva baddhva ripum balat praharjunam prakupito bhagavan ambujeksanah
After binding Asvatthama, Arjuna wanted to take him to the military camp. The Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna, looking on with His lotus eyes, spoke to angry Arjuna.
मैनं पार्थार्हसि त्रातुं ब्रह्मबन्धुमिमं जहि । योऽसावनागस: सुप्तानवधीन्निशि बालकान् ॥ ३५ ॥
mainam partharhasi tratum brahma-bandhum imam jahi yo ’sav anagasah suptan avadhin nisi balakan
Lord Sri Krsna said: O Arjuna, you should not show mercy by releasing this relative of a brahmana (brahma-bandhu), for he has killed innocent boys in their sleep.
मत्तं प्रमत्तमुन्मत्तं सुप्तं बालं स्त्रियं जडम् । प्रपन्नं विरथं भीतं न रिपुं हन्ति धर्मवित् ॥ ३६ ॥
mattam pramattam unmattam suptam balam striyam jadam prapannam viratham bhitam na ripum hanti dharma-vit
A person who knows the principles of religion does not kill an enemy who is careless, intoxicated, insane, asleep, afraid or devoid of his chariot. Nor does he kill a boy, a woman, a foolish creature or a surrendered soul.
स्वप्राणान् य: परप्राणै: प्रपुष्णात्यघृण: खल: । तद्वधस्तस्य हि श्रेयो यद्दोषाद्यात्यध: पुमान् ॥ ३७ ॥
sva-pranan yah para-pranaih prapusnaty aghrnah khalah tad-vadhas tasya hi sreyo yad-dosad yaty adhah puman
A cruel and wretched person who maintains his existence at the cost of others’ lives deserves to be killed for his own well-being, otherwise he will go down by his own actions.
प्रतिश्रुतं च भवता पाञ्चाल्यै शृण्वतो मम । आहरिष्ये शिरस्तस्य यस्ते मानिनि पुत्रहा ॥ ३८ ॥
pratisrutam ca bhavata pancalyai srnvato mama aharisye siras tasya yas te manini putra-ha
Furthermore, I have personally heard you promise Draupadi that you would bring forth the head of the killer of her sons.
तदसौ वध्यतां पाप आतताय्यात्मबन्धुहा । भर्तुश्च विप्रियं वीर कृतवान् कुलपांसन: ॥ ३९ ॥
tad asau vadhyatam papa atatayy atma-bandhu-ha bhartus ca vipriyam vira krtavan kula-pamsanah
This man is an assassin and murderer of your own family members. Not only that, but he has also dissatisfied his master. He is but the burnt remnants of his family. Kill him immediately.
सूत उवाच एवं परीक्षता धर्मं पार्थ: कृष्णेन चोदित: । नैच्छद्धन्तुं गुरुसुतं यद्यप्यात्महनं महान् ॥ ४० ॥
suta uvaca evam pariksata dharmam parthah krsnena coditah naicchad dhantum guru-sutam yadyapy atma-hanam mahan
Suta Gosvami said: Although Krsna, who was examining Arjuna in religion, encouraged Arjuna to kill the son of Dronacarya, Arjuna, a great soul, did not like the idea of killing him, although Asvatthama was a heinous murderer of Arjuna’s family members.
अथोपेत्य स्वशिबिरं गोविन्दप्रियसारथि: । न्यवेदयत्तं प्रियायै शोचन्त्या आत्मजान् हतान् ॥ ४१ ॥
athopetya sva-sibiram govinda-priya-sarathih nyavedayat tam priyayai socantya atma-jan hatan
After reaching his own camp, Arjuna, along with his dear friend and charioteer (Sri Krsna), entrusted the murderer unto his dear wife, who was lamenting for her murdered sons.
तथाहृतं पशुवत् पाशबद्ध- मवाङ्मुखं कर्मजुगुप्सितेन । निरीक्ष्य कृष्णापकृतं गुरो: सुतं वामस्वभावा कृपया ननाम च ॥ ४२ ॥
tathahrtam pasuvat pasa-baddham avan-mukham karma-jugupsitena niriksya krsnapakrtam guroh sutam vama-svabhava krpaya nanama ca
Sri Suta Gosvami said: Draupadi then saw Asvatthama, who was bound with ropes like an animal and silent for having enacted the most inglorious murder. Due to her female nature, and due to her being naturally good and well-behaved, she showed him due respects as a brahmana.
उवाच चासहन्त्यस्य बन्धनानयनं सती । मुच्यतां मुच्यतामेष ब्राह्मणो नितरां गुरु: ॥ ४३ ॥
uvaca casahanty asya bandhananayanam sati mucyatam mucyatam esa brahmano nitaram guruh
She could not tolerate Asvatthama’s being bound by ropes, and being a devoted lady, she said: Release him, for he is a brahmana, our spiritual master.
सरहस्यो धनुर्वेद: सविसर्गोपसंयम: । अस्त्रग्रामश्च भवता शिक्षितो यदनुग्रहात् ॥ ४४ ॥
sarahasyo dhanur-vedah savisargopasamyamah astra-gramas ca bhavata siksito yad-anugrahat
It was by Dronacarya’s mercy that you learned the military art of throwing arrows and the confidential art of controlling weapons.
स एष भगवान्द्रोण: प्रजारूपेण वर्तते । तस्यात्मनोऽर्धं पत्न्यास्ते नान्वगाद्वीरसू: कृपी ॥ ४५ ॥
sa esa bhagavan dronah praja-rupena vartate tasyatmano ’rdham patny aste nanvagad virasuh krpi
He (Dronacarya) is certainly still existing, being represented by his son. His wife Krpi did not undergo a sati with him because she had a son.
तद् धर्मज्ञ महाभाग भवद्भिर्गौरवं कुलम् । वृजिनं नार्हति प्राप्तुं पूज्यं वन्द्यमभीक्ष्णश: ॥ ४६ ॥
tad dharmajna maha-bhaga bhavadbhir gauravam kulam vrjinam narhati praptum pujyam vandyam abhiksnasah
O most fortunate one who knows the principles of religion, it is not good for you to cause grief to glorious family members who are always respectable and worshipful.
मा रोदीदस्य जननी गौतमी पतिदेवता । यथाहं मृतवत्सार्ता रोदिम्यश्रुमुखी मुहु: ॥ ४७ ॥
ma rodid asya janani gautami pati-devata yathaham mrta-vatsarta rodimy asru-mukhi muhuh
My lord, do not make the wife of Dronacarya cry like me. I am aggrieved for the death of my sons. She need not cry constantly like me.
यै: कोपितं ब्रह्मकुलं राजन्यैरजितात्मभि: । तत् कुलं प्रदहत्याशु सानुबन्धं शुचार्पितम् ॥ ४८ ॥
yaih kopitam brahma-kulam rajanyair ajitatmabhih tat kulam pradahaty asu sanubandham sucarpitam
If the kingly administrative order, being unrestricted in sense control, offends the brahmana order and enrages them, then the fire of that rage burns up the whole body of the royal family and brings grief upon all.
सूत उवाच धर्म्यं न्याय्यं सकरुणं निर्व्यलीकं समं महत् । राजा धर्मसुतो राज्ञ्या: प्रत्यनन्दद्वचो द्विजा: ॥ ४९ ॥
suta uvaca dharmyam nyayyam sakarunam nirvyalikam samam mahat raja dharma-suto rajnyah pratyanandad vaco dvijah
Suta Gosvami said: O brahmanas, King Yudhisthira fully supported the statements of the Queen, which were in accordance with the principles of religion and were justified, glorious, full of mercy and equity, and without duplicity.
नकुल: सहदेवश्च युयुधानो धनञ्जय: । भगवान् देवकीपुत्रो ये चान्ये याश्च योषित: ॥ ५० ॥
nakulah sahadevas ca yuyudhano dhananjayah bhagavan devaki-putro ye canye yas ca yositah
Nakula and Sahadeva (the younger brothers of the King) and also Satyaki, Arjuna, the Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krsna, son of Devaki, and the ladies and others all unanimously agreed with the King.
तत्राहामर्षितो भीमस्तस्य श्रेयान् वध: स्मृत: । न भर्तुर्नात्मनश्चार्थे योऽहन् सुप्तान् शिशून् वृथा ॥ ५१ ॥
tatrahamarsito bhimas tasya sreyan vadhah smrtah na bhartur natmanas carthe yo ’han suptan sisun vrtha
Bhima, however, disagreed with them and recommended killing this culprit who, in an angry mood, had murdered sleeping children for no purpose and for neither his nor his master’s interest.
निशम्य भीमगदितं द्रौपद्याश्च चतुर्भुज: । आलोक्य वदनं सख्युरिदमाहहसन्निव ॥ ५२ ॥
nisamya bhima-gaditam draupadyas ca catur-bhujah alokya vadanam sakhyur idam aha hasann iva
Caturbhuja (the four-armed one), or the Personality of Godhead, after hearing the words of Bhima, Draupadi and others, saw the face of His dear friend Arjuna, and He began to speak as if smiling.
श्रीभगवानुवाच ब्रह्मबन्धुर्न हन्तव्य आततायी वधार्हण: । मयैवोभयमाम्नातं परिपाह्यनुशासनम् ॥ ५३ ॥ कुरु प्रतिश्रुतं सत्यं यत्तत्सान्त्वयता प्रियाम् । प्रियं च भीमसेनस्य पाञ्चाल्या मह्यमेव च ॥ ५४ ॥
sri-bhagavan uvaca brahma-bandhur na hantavya atatayi vadharhanah mayaivobhayam amnatam paripahy anusasanam kuru pratisrutam satyam yat tat santvayata priyam priyam ca bhimasenasya pancalya mahyam eva ca
The Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna said: A friend of a brahmana is not to be killed, but if he is an aggressor he must be killed. All these rulings are in the scriptures, and you should act accordingly. You have to fulfill your promise to your wife, and you must also act to the satisfaction of Bhimasena and Me.
सूत उवाच अर्जुन: सहसाज्ञाय हरेर्हार्दमथासिना । मणिं जहार मूर्धन्यं द्विजस्य सहमूर्धजम् ॥ ५५ ॥
suta uvaca arjunah sahasajnaya harer hardam athasina manim jahara murdhanyam dvijasya saha-murdhajam
Just then Arjuna could understand the motive of the Lord by His equivocal orders, and thus with his sword he severed both hair and jewel from the head of Asvatthama.
विमुच्य रशनाबद्धं बालहत्याहतप्रभम् । तेजसा मणिना हीनं शिबिरान्निरयापयत् ॥ ५६ ॥
vimucya rasana-baddham bala-hatya-hata-prabham tejasa manina hinam sibiran nirayapayat
He (Asvatthama) had already lost his bodily luster due to infanticide, and now, moreover, having lost the jewel from his head, he lost even more strength. Thus he was unbound and driven out of the camp.
वपनं द्रविणादानं स्थानान्निर्यापणं तथा । एष हि ब्रह्मबन्धूनां वधो नान्योऽस्ति दैहिक: ॥ ५७ ॥
vapanam dravinadanam sthanan niryapanam tatha esa hi brahma-bandhunam vadho nanyo ’sti daihikah
Cutting the hair from his head, depriving him of his wealth and driving him from his residence are the prescribed punishments for the relative of a brahmana. There is no injunction for killing the body.
पुत्रशोकातुरा: सर्वे पाण्डवा: सह कृष्णया । स्वानां मृतानां यत्कृत्यं चक्रुर्निर्हरणादिकम् ॥ ५८ ॥
putra-sokaturah sarve pandavah saha krsnaya svanam mrtanam yat krtyam cakrur nirharanadikam
Thereafter, the sons of Pandu and Draupadi, overwhelmed with grief, performed the proper rituals for the dead bodies of their relatives.
