Saturday, October 12, 2019






|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 7- The birth of King Pareekshith


It was morning Draupadhi found that her five children were mercilessly killed in their chamber.  She became inconsolable, wept bitterly at the death of five children.  The Pandavas came to know about the brutal incident, Lord Krishna was with them.  Arjun took a vow to take revenge on Ashwaththama after seeing the disturbing state of Draupadi.  Arjuna in fury chased for Ashwaththama was followed by Krishna.  Ashwaththama released Bhramasthra to destroy the entire Universe, but he was unaware of the withdrawal of this powerful weapon.  Arjun took shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, who advised to release a Bhramasthra to nullify the effect of the one released by Ashwaththama.  These Asthras are created with the power of Manthras.  The deities were alarmed to witness these two Bhramasthra which could devour the entire Universe.  Lord Shiva intervened and pacified these Bhramasthra.  Arjuna caught hold of Ashwaththama and fastened with a rope, dragged before Dhraupadi, Arjuna screamed in a rage “ Oh! Devi, the culprit who had committed the severest sin is before you.  I am going to kill him.” Draupadi said “ No, do not kill him. I am the mother of five children who lost their lives mercilessly, I am deeply suffering the loss of them if you kill Ashwaththama, his mother also will have the same sufferings which I am going through at this moment, therefore leave him. He is the son of your preceptor Dronacharya,”  Bima said, “ No, absolutely not, he has committed an intolerable crime, therefore no mercy should be shown upon him.” Yudhishtira said “ No, we should show mercy upon Ashwaththama, Draupadi is right.”  Arjun was in a dilemma, Arjuna looked at Lord Krishna and said: “ Krishna,  kindly advise me.” Lord Krishna said “ People who commit crime should get punished, but Ashwaththama is the son of your preceptor Dronacharya.  He is a Brahmin, killing a Bhramin would bring the sin of Bhramahathya.” Arjuna understood the inner meaning of the dialogue of Krishna that Ashwaththama is worthy of punishment, but should not be killed.  Ashwaththama used to have a precious gem on his forehead, Arjuna plucked it out, which was practically as good as death for Ashwaththama, his head and the mustache was shaven and released him.   


Maharishi Vedavyasa beautifully reveals the nobleness of Dhraupadi, though she could have taken away the life of Ashwaththama with her own hand for the loss of her five children, she thought of the pain of a mother and left Ashwaththama free.  But, Ashwaththama did not keep quiet, he released Bhramasthra once again.  This time he shot the Astra pointing at the womb of Uththara who was the wife of Abhimanyu,  son of Arjun was deceitfully killed in the battlefield, she was fully pregnant with the last child in the Pandava dynasty.  Uttara cried out for help to Krishna, he entered inside the womb of Uttara in a subtle form and protected the child from damage. Krishna annulled the effect of the Bhramasthra on the womb and gave Dharshan to the infant.  In due course of time, Uththara gave birth to a male child, who was staring all around as if searching for someone.  Yudhishtira asked, “ Krishna, why this child is looking all around searching for something?”  Narada describes that the child had envisaged the supreme Lord Krishna from its mother’s womb, after coming in this word he still continues the search of the glorious form of supreme Lord.  Thus, the child got its name ‘Pareekshith’.