Sauptika Parva



Chapter One



Ashvatthama Destroys the Pandava Army



Dhritarastra inquired: O Sanjaya, hearing of Duryodhana's death, my voice
trembles and my limbs are weak. Alas, destiny is, after all, supreme. My son
had gathered eleven akshauhini divisions of troops, and the Pandavas had
gathered seven. Still the Pandavas have won victory. While my son was laying on
the ground with his thighs broken, what deeds were performed by Drona's son,
Ashvatthama?

Sanjaya replied: O monarch, all this has happened because of too much
affection for your cruel son. The reactions to his sinful activities have born
fruit in that he now lies on the Kurukshetra field with his thighs broken. If
you had followed the advice of Vidura long ago, then this disaster could have
been avoided. Listen now, O great King, to the events that took place after the
fall of your son. Having heard of Duryodhana's defeat, Ashvatthama, Kripa and
Kritavarman came to that place on their chariots drawn by fleet horses. O
Monarch, they saw your son lying on the ground, his thighs broken and blood
flowing from many wounds. Duryodhana's eyes were full of tears, and he was
breathing heavily. Seeing his suffering condition, they descended from their
chariots and came to his side. They greatly lamented his fallen state. The son
of Drona spoke to him, Behold the irreversible influence of time! Formerly, O
King, we used to see you attended by many servants and fanned with the finest
Yak tails. You were the lord of eleven akshauhini divisions of troops and
proudly stood at their head. Where has your vast army now gone? Where is the
white umbrella that used to cover your head from the scorching heat? Once you
were the master of the world, and now you have been reduced to this state.
Alas, destiny, is after all, very cruel.

Replying to Ashvatthama's words, Duryodhana said, Do not grieve for me. Death
comes to all beings in due course of time. It is my good fortune that I have
observed the proper conduct of a king and never turned my back in battle. It is
my good fortune to die at this time along with all my friends and kinsmen. I am
not ignorant of Krishna's glory. It is He, through His invisible potencies, who
has caused this annihilation. I have now understood that He is the Supreme God
of all that be. With this meditation, I will now ascend to His abode in the
spiritual world.

Beholding the King lying on the ground suffering from pain, Ashvatthama flamed
up in rage. He then vowed before his master, My father was slain by those vile
persons by means of deception. That does not anger me as much as seeing you
reduced you to this suffering state. Listen to my vow, O King. I swear by truth
itself and by all my acts of piety, all my gifts, my religion and the religious
merits I have won. I shall today, in the presence of Krishna, kill all the
soldiers left in that army.

Hearing this oath, Duryodhana ordered Kripa to bring a pot of water to anoint
Ashvatthama as his commander in chief. He said, Let the son of Drona be
appointed commander in chief of my army. Let him conquer those that are left
amongst the Pandavas. With these words, Kripacharya obtained the water and
bathed Ashvatthama's hair thus installing him as the commander in chief.
Ashvatthama then embraced the King and left that spot roaring like a lion.

When those warriors heard the victorious sounds of the Pandavas, they were
fearful and entered a forest near the Kaurava encampment. They let loose their
horses and took shelter of a nearby banyan tree. The sun had set, and the
darkness of night had covered the battlefield. Overcome with sleep, Kripa and
Kritavarman laid down on the bare ground. However, Ashvatthama could not sleep.
He stayed awake and remembered the injustices that took place on the
battlefield. His body burned with grief and anger. As he thought of his plan of
action, he noticed that the banyan tree was refuge for crows during the night.
While he was looking at the countless crows sleeping on the tree branches,
suddenly an owl appeared in the tree and began to kill the sleeping crows. The
owl cut off the heads of some and tore at the wings of others. After some time
the owl managed to slaughter many birds. As he witnessed this action, he
thought, This owl is teaching me a lesson. The Pandavas are victorious in
battle, and it will be impossible for me to kill them. However, I have promised
the King that I will fight with them on the field of battle and slay them. If I
fight with them fairly, then surely I will have to lay down my life. I have
vowed myself to a certain death. If, however, I kill them by means of
deception, as they killed my father and the King, then I will be victorious.

The wicked son of Drona then made up his mind to kill the Pandavas while they
were sleeping. Having made this resolution, he woke up Kripa and Kritavarman.
He then told them of his plan for slaying the Pandavas. Not agreeing with the
proposal, Kripa spoke to Ashvatthama, A man, who lives his life, rejecting the
advice of his elders, certainly falls from righteousness and dies untimely. A
man, who builds his life on sinful activities, in due course of time, reaps the
results of those sinful activities. On the other hand, one who listens to the
advice given by his elders and acts under their instructions certainly achieves
his goals and flourishes in every respect. This Duryodhana, obsessed with
hatred of the Pandavas, committed many sinful acts not sanctioned by the Kuru
elders. Disregarding the wisdom of Bhishma, Vidura, Drona, and myself, this
wretched person waged hostilities with the Pandavas who are superior to him in
good qualities. From the very beginning he was envious and wicked. He could not
restrain himself, and thus he is now bearing the fruits of his sinful
activities. Why should we follow in the footsteps of this foolish person and
allow another calamity to overcome us? At this time I fail to see what is right
and wrong. Therefore, let us go to Dhritarastra and inquire about our duty.

This determination which has appeared in my mind, Ashvatthama replied, is
the only thing capable of dispelling my grief. The Supreme Lord has awarded
duties to every living being. To the brahmanas he has given study of the Vedas,
and to kings he has given protection of the citizens. To the vaishya he has
given cow protection, and to the shudra he has given service. I have been born
in a high caste brahmana family, but to my misfortune I have taken up the
duties of a warrior. Such being the case, I cannot make a decision according to
the duties of a brahmana. I have my bow and arrows, and the duty of a warrior
is to fight. If I do not avenge the death of my father and the King, then I
will not be able to show my face in the midst of men. Therefore, in the dead of
night, I will enter the Pandava camp and slay all the warriors who are left in
that army. I shall attack their camp, exerting my full prowess. After
butchering the Pandavas and the Panchalas, I will obtain peace of mind. I shall
repay the debt I owe my father, the King, Bhishma, and Karna. After I
accomplish these goals, I will be able to rest in peace.

Wait here till morning, Kripa advised, then myself and Kritavarman will
assist you in your fight with the Pandavas. Angry as you are, surely the
Pandavas and the Panchalas will not be able to withstand you. You are a master
of celestial weapons, and so am I. Therefore, after we have rested here for
some time, we will proceed against the Pandavas and defeat them in battle.

Hearing this advice, which was according to the kshatriya code, the son of
Drona became angry. He said, My heart is burning, and I cannot sleep. The way
in which my father was slain weighs heavily on my mind. I cannot live another
moment without slaying that sinful Dhristadyumna. Who, with proper
understanding of what is right and wrong, would not take action against these
unscrupulous people. O uncle, I am unable to restrain the rising anger in my
heart. The only way I can have peace of mind is to kill these warriors while
they are sleeping.

A person whose passions are uncontrolled, Kripa said, lacks intellingence
and discrimination, and cannot understand the intricacies of morality. This is
my opinion. Well wishers always try to restrain their subordinates from
committing sin. He who listens to such well wishers can have peace of mind, and
he who does not listen reaps only misery in his life. Follow my instructions,
and you will obtain happiness. If you do not, you will have to repent later.
According to holy books, the slaughter of persons who are sleeping is never
sanctioned. The crooked-minded man, who would commit such an act, would have to
suffer eternally in hell. So far in battle you have not committed any sinful
acts. It would be intelligent not to start now. Therefore, when the sun rises
in the morning, we will challenge the Pandavas and conquer them according to
the code of brave warriors.

Without doubt, Ashvatthama replied, it is as you say. However, the Pandavas
have broken all bridges of proper conduct, because within the sight of all
Kings, Dhristadyumna killed my father unfairly. Karna was killed while trying
to pull his chariot from the earth. Bhishma was unfairly slain after he had
laid aside his weapons. Bhurishravas was also slain by Satyaki by unfair means.
Finally, the King has been killed by Bhima with a mace aimed at the thighs. All
these atrocities burn my heart. Why don't you seek to chastise they who have
committed these sinful activities? After slaying the Pandavas and the Panchalas
in their sleep, I don't care whether I become a worm or an winged insect in my
next life. There is no man who will succeed in preventing me from obtaining my
goal.

After expressing his determination, Drona's son yoked his horses to the
chariot and proceeded toward the Pandava camp. Kripa and Kritavarman followed
him, desiring to restrain him from the sinful act. They soon arrived near the
gate of the Pandava camp. Suddenly, a gigantic being appeared before
Ashvatthama, making the hair on their bodies stand on end. He was as effulgent
as the moon and the sun, and he was guarding the entrance. Around his waist was
a tiger skin dripping with blood, and he wore a black deer skin for his upper
garment. He wore a sacred thread in the form of a huge snake, and his arms were
long and massive. He had many different kinds of weapons and fire seemed to
blaze from his mouth. There was thousands of eyes adorning his face. He was
indescribable by words. Beholding that superhuman being, Ashvatthama was
fearful and covered it with his celestial weapons. However, that being devoured
those weapons. Ashvatthama then hurled a golden dart that blazed like fire. The
dart, however, broke into fragments upon hitting the chest of the monster. The
son of Drona then drew his sword and flung in at the strange being, but the
sword disappeared into his body. Ashvatthama then threw his mace, but it was
devoured by the mouth of that superhuman being. Ashvatthama used all of his
weapons, and when they were exhausted, he remembered the words of Kripacharya
warning him to take advice from his well wishers. Having no other savior from
death, and seeing the Rakshasa of mighty proportions coming toward him, he
stepped down from his chariot and fell to the ground offering prayers to Lord
Shiva.

While offering prayers to his worshipable deity, a golden sacrificial altar
appeared and on it was a burning fire. Many mighty beings suddenly appeared.
They had the faces of animals, and they were carrying huge weapons. It was all
very wonderful. Understanding that he was to offer himself in sacrifice,
Ashvatthama folded his hands, and deeply thinking of Lord Shiva, he proceeded
toward the fire. Suddenly, Lord Shiva appeared in person and spoke to
Ashvatthama, Because I am the servant of the lotus eyed Krishna, and because
there is no one more dear to me than Him, I have protected the Pandava camp.
For His satisfaction, I have displayed various illusions to insure their
safety. However, according to the influence of time, their life span has run
out. I will now give you protection, and the power to kill all those who dwell
in this camp. He then gave the Drona's son a fine sword and entered his body
to enliven him with invincible energy.

When Ashvatthama was thus empowered, he shone effulgent as the sun. He posted
Kripa and Kritavarman at the gates of the camp and ordered them to kill anyone
who tried to escape. He then entered the camp and headed for Dhristadyumna's
tent. The Panchalas were asleep and felt confident of their victory.
Ashvatthama entered the tent of Drupada's son, and saw him laying on a bed
covered with silken sheets. Red hot with fury remembering the death of his
father, Ashvatthama kicked Dhristadyumna in the side. The son of Drupada awoke
and saw Ashvatthama standing next to him. As he rose from bed, the son of Drona
seized him by the hair and threw him down to the ground. By the influence of
destiny, the prince was not able to defend himself. He was tired from the day's
events and was still half conscious. Ashvatthama mercilessly kicked him again
and again in all parts of his body. Dhristadyumna tore at him with his nails
and endeavored to get up, but it was no use.

He then pleaded with Ashvatthama, O son of Drona, kill me with a weapon so
that I may attain to the regions set aside for brave heroes!

Hearing Dhristadyumna's appeal, Ashvatthama replied, O most fallen of your
race, there is no region for those that kill their preceptors. For this sinful
act, I will not kill you with any weapon. Ashvatthama then repeatedly kicked
him with his heels until his life force left his body.

While Ashvatthama was repeatedly kicking the dead body of Dhristadyumna, the
wives and servants of the prince awoke and cried in horror. Ashvatthama ran out
of the tent and entered the tents of the other Panchala warriors. He saw
Uttamaujas sleeping on his bed. Ashvatthama threw him to the ground and stomped
on his throat and chest until he was dead. Yudhamanyu awoke from sleep, and
believing that his friend had been slain by a Rakshasa, rushed at the son of
Drona with a mace. He repeatedly struck Ashvatthama, but Drona's son seized him
and killed him with his sword.

While this fighting was going on, all the warriors awoke from sleep and
attacked Ashvatthama. All their attempts were futile, because, being empowered
by Lord Shiva, Ashvatthama could not be harmed. With his death dealing sword,
Ashvatthama killed all who came before him. The sons of Draupadi came out of
their tents and began to pierce Drona's son with their mighty weapons. Warding
off their arrows with his shield, the mighty Ashvatthama struck Yudhisthira's
son, Prativindhya, in the abdomen, at which the latter fell down dead. The son
of Bhima, Sutasoma, pierced Ashvatthama with a lance, and then ran at him with
a sword. The wicked Ashvatthama cut off Sutasoma's arm and then struck him in
the side depriving him of life. The valiant Satanika, the son of Nakula, took
up a chariot wheel and struck Drona's son. Not minding the force of the weapon,
the preceptor's son cut of the head of that great warrior. The son of Sahadeva,
Srutakarman, then attacked Ashvatthama with a spiked bludgeon. However,
Ashvatthama struck him in the face with his sword, and that heroic prince fell
down dead. Srutakirti, the son of Arjuna, then showered arrows upon the sinful
son of Drona. Countering those arrows with his sword, Ashvatthama cut off the
head of Arjuna's son.

Shikhandi, the son of Drupada and the slayer of Bhishma, then struck
Ashvatthama in the forehead with a golden shafted arrow. Filled with anger,
Drona's son severed his body in two. There were thousands upon thousands of
warriors left in that camp, and they all awoke in a state of confusion. As they
came out of their tents, they were slaughtered by Ashvatthama. The son of Drona
set the camp on fire in three places causing greater confusion. The elephants
bolted in fear and began trampling servants, soldiers and tents in their
attempt to escape from the camp. Some warriors who were bewildered, slew each
other in the confusion. Ashvatthama then ascended his chariot and began to
slaughter all who approached him. He severed the heads, arms, and legs of the
Panchalas, the Somakas, and the Shrinjayas. Anyone who attempted to escape were
killed by Kripacharya and Kritavarman, who had now developed the same mentality
of Ashvatthama. Stationed at the gates of the camp, they killed all who
endeavored to leave. By the time the morning had arrived, the Pandava camp was
again quiet. The remnant of the Pandava army had now been slain. Thousands upon
thousands of men, servants, elephants, and horses lay in pools of blood,
silenced by the weapons of the merciless son of Drona. The Rakshasas had
already appeared in the camp attracted by the stench of blood and flesh. They
devoured human bodies one after another in great happiness.

After the slaughter of the Pandava army, Ashvatthama desired to inform
Duryodhana of the good news. He severed the heads of the Pandava's sons and
took them as a prize to his master. Kripa and Kritavarman greeted him at the
gate, and together they went to see the dying Duryodhana. By this time
Duryodhana was on the point of death. With great effort, they revived him, and
Ashvatthama, wanting to please him before his death, told Duryodhana that he
had beheaded the Pandavas and brought their heads as a gift. When Duryodhana
felt the heads, he could understand that they were the Pandava's sons and not
the Pandavas. He lamented the sinful action and was not pleased in the least
for the Kuru dynasty, now, had no heir. He then gave up his life and ascended
to the higher regions.



Thus Ends the First Chapter of the Sauptika Parva, Entitled, Ashvatthama
Destroys the Pandava Army.



Sauptika Parva



Chapter Two



The Son of Drona Punished



Sanjaya said: O King, with the death of your son, my vision, which was given
to me by the esteemed sage Vyasa, has been taken away. Now all that is left of
your kinsmen is your wife and your son Yuyutsu.

Upon hearing of their son's death, Dhritarastra and Gandhari fell unconscious.
They could not understand the turn of events in their life. Overcome with
intense grief at the slaughter of their family members, they lamented in
various ways.

Meanwhile, the chariot driver of Dhristadyumna, who was the only one to escape
the slaughter of the Pandava army, went to Yudhisthira and related to him the
news of all that had happened. He informed Yudhisthira how the sons of Draupadi
had been killed mercilessly along with Dhristadyumna and Shikhandi. He told him
how Ashvatthama had slain all the warriors while waking from sleep. He also
told him how Kritavarman and Kripacharya had assisted him. Upon hearing the
tragic news, the great King fell to the ground unconscious. When the princess
Draupadi heard of the slaughter of her sons and brother, she too fell to the
ground senseless. Bhima came to her side and picked her up and embraced her to
his chest. That beautiful princess lamented in various ways, and all her
husbands tried to console her.

Not being able to endure Draupadi's lamentations, Bhima ascended his chariot,
and taking Nakula as his driver, followed the tracts of Ashvatthama's chariot.
The lotus eyed Lord Krishna then advised Yudhisthira, O son of Pandu, your
brother has set out in great haste to find Ashvatthama. Someone should follow
and assist him. It is known to Me that the Brahmastra weapon is in
Ashvatthama's possession. After Drona had given that weapon to Arjuna,
Ashvatthama also wanted it and begged it from his father. Unwillingly, he
imparted knowledge of the weapon to his son. Knowing the restlessness of his
son, Drona commanded him, çEven if you are overtaken with the greatest danger,
never use this weapon, especially against human beings.' After receiving this
foremost weapon, Ashvatthama began to wander the earth in search of other
weapons. He came to Dvaraka and took up his abode there.

One day when I was alone by the shore of the ocean, he came to Me with joined
palms and begged for the possession of My Sudarshana disc. He wanted to give Me
his Brahmastra weapon in exchange. I then said to him, çI have the Sarnga bow,
the Sudarshana discus, and My Kamodaki club. You may take any one of these that
you like, and I will not ask anything in return.' He thus chose my discus, and
I said to him, çYou may take it at your leisure.' Joyfully he rose and tried to
take the weapon. It was revolving in the air next to Me and was as effulgent as
the sun. However, he could not make the weapon move. He tried repeatedly, but
still the weapon would not move. He tried to wield it and move it up, but still
it would not budge from its position. When he had given up his attempt to take
possession of the Sudharshana discus, I questioned him, çThe mighty armed son
of Kunti, Arjuna, who is My dear friend, has never asked Me for this weapon,
nor has my son Pradyumna, nor My brother Balarama, nor have any of My other
relations. If you had obtained this weapon, with whom would you have fought?'

When questioned in this way, Ashvatthama replied, çIf, O Krishna, I had
obtained this weapon, then I would have fought with You. Having defeated You, I
would have become invincible in this world. Having failed to obtain this
weapon, however, I now take leave of You.' After leaving Dvaraka, he returned
to Hastinapura. Ashvatthama is wicked, cruel, and restless. He knows how to use
the Brahmastra weapon, and therefore, Bhima should be protected.

While Yudhisthira and Lord Krishna were speaking, Arjuna was consoling his
dear wife. Arjuna pacified her with sweet words saying, O gentle lady, when I
present you with the head of that brahmana, severed with the arrows from my
Gandiva bow, I shall then wipe the tears from your eyes and pacify you. Then,
after burning your son's bodies, you can take your bath standing on his head.

Arjuna, who was guided by the infallible Lord as friend and chariot driver,
thus satisfied the dear lady by such statements. Then he dressed in armor and
armed himself with celestial weapons, and getting into his chariot, he set out
to follow Ashvatthama, the son of his martial teacher. He caught up with Bhima,
and together they followed the tracks of Ashvatthama. When Ashvatthama, the
murderer of the princes, saw from a distance Arjuna coming at furious pace, he
fled in his chariot, panic stricken, just to save his life, as Brahma fled in
fear from Shiva. After some time, when Drona's son saw that his horses were
tired, he considered that there was no alternative for protection outside of
his using the ultimate weapon, the Brahmastra. Since his life was in danger, he
touched water to sanctity himself and uttered the hymns for throwing the
powerful weapon, although he did not know how to withdraw it. He then released
the weapon in the direction of Krishna and Arjuna. A glaring effulgent light
then spread in all directions threatening the life of all creatures in the
universe. It was so fierce that Arjuna knew his life to be in danger. He then
prayed to and questioned Lord Sri Krishna, O my Lord Sri Krishna, 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. 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. 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. O Lord of lords, what is this dangerous effulgence is
spreading in all directions? Where does it come from?

The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied, Know that this is a desperation
act of Drona's son. He has released the Brahmastra weapon, and he does not know
how to retract the weapon. He has helplessly done this, being afraid of
imminent death. O Arjuna, only another Brahmastra can counter this weapon.
Since you are expert in the military science, subdue this weapon's glare with
the power of your own weapon.

Hearing this from the Personality of Godhead, Arjuna touched water for
purification, and after circumambulating Lord Sri Krishna, he cast his
Brahmastra weapon to counteract the other one. 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 planets. 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.
Thus seeing the disturbance of the general populace and the imminent
destruction of the planets, Arjuna at once retracted both Brahmastra weapons,
as Lord Sri Krishna desired. Arjuna's eyes were blazing like two red balls of
copper. He immediately arrested the son of Kripi and bound him with ropes like
an animal.

After binding Ashvatthama, Arjuna wanted to take him to their military
encampment. The Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna, looking on with His lotus
petal eyes, advised the angry Arjuna., O Arjuna, you should not show mercy by
releasing this fallen brahmana, for he has killed innocent boys who were
unprepared for battle. 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. 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. Furthermore, I have heard you
promise Draupadi that you would bring forth the head of her sons' killer. This
man is a murderer of your family members. Not only that, but he has also
dissatisfied his master. He is but the burnt remnants of his family. Kill him
immediately.

Although Lord Krishna, who was examining Arjuna in religion, encouraged Arjuna
to kill the son of Dronacharya, Arjuna, a great soul, did not like the idea of
killing him, although Ashvatthama was a heinous murderer of Arjuna's family
members. After reaching his own camp, Arjuna, along with his dear friend and
charioteer [Sri Krishna], entrusted the murderer to his dear wife, who was
lamenting for her dead sons. Draupadi then saw Ashvatthama, 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. She could not tolerate Ashvatthama's
being bound by ropes, and being a devoted lady, she requested, Release him,
for he is a brahmana and our spiritual master. It was by Dronacharya's mercy
that you learned the military art of throwing arrows and the confidential art
of controlling weapons. Dronacharya is certainly still existing, being
represented by his son. His wife Kripi did not undergo a sati rite with him
because she had a son. 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. My lord, do not make the wife of
Dronacharya cry like me. I am aggrieved for the death of my sons. She need not
cry constantly like me. 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.

Hearing his Queen's desire, King Yudhisthira fully supported her statements,
which were in accordance with the principles of religion and were justified,
glorious, full of mercy and equity, and without duplicity. Nakula and Sahadeva
as well as Satyaki and Arjuna agreed with the King's decision. The Personality
of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna and the other ladies present also agreed. It was
Bhima, however, who disagreed with them and recommended killing this culprit
who, in an angry mood, had murdered Draupadi's sons for no purpose and for
neither his nor his master's interest. Lord Sri Krishna had to step between
Bhima and Ashvatthama for Bhima was about to kill him. The Personality of
Godhead then said to Arjuna, A fallen 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 satisfy Bhimasena and Myself.

Understanding the motive of the Lord, Arjuna took up his sword and severed
both the hair and the jewel from Ashvatthama's head. The son of Drona had
already lost his bodily luster due to killing young boys who were awaking from
sleep. Now, having lost his jewel, he lost even more of his strength. Lord
Krishna then cursed the son of Drona, You have engaged in the sinful act of
killing children. For this reason you must bear the fruits of these sins. For
three thousand years you will have to roam the Earth without a companion. You
will not even be able to talk to anyone. O wretched person, you will have no
place in the midst of men. The stench of pus and blood shall emanate from your
body, and dark and dreary forests shall be your abode. You shall wander over
the earth covered with different kinds of diseases. The son of Abhimanyu,
although burnt by your weapon, shall not die. He will be named Parikshit, and
he will rule this world before your very eyes. O lowest of men, behold My
mystic power. After speaking this curse, Ashvatthama was unbound and driven
out of the camp. Thereafter, the Pandavas along with their beautiful wife
Draupadi performed the proper funeral rituals for the dead bodies of their
children.



Thus Ends the Second Chapter of the Sauptika Parva, Entitled, The Son of Drona
Punished.



Thus Ends the Sauptika Parva.