In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of a very crucial discussion wherein Ashwatthama is unable to take back his “Brahma-Shiras” “Asthram”. However, he is defending himself upon why he employed it upon Arjuna and Co. This irks Sage Vyaasa in the first place, and subsequently Bhagawan Krishna also, who curses Ashwatthama that he would suffer enormous insult and abuse in this world for the next three thousand years. Unmindful of all this, Ashwatthama still tells Bhagawan Krishna that the next generation of Yudishtra will be completely wiped out from this world with this “Brahma-Shiras” weapon. However, Bhagawan counters him that nothing of that sort can happen and Parikshit (Arjuna’s grandson) is destined to rule the kingdom after Yudishtra.
As Bhagawan says thus, Utthara (Abhimanyu’s wife) starts getting the labor pain and as the “Brahma-Shiras” “Asthram” hits her womb, she is suffering unbearably! The “Asthram” shows its power and burns the baby inside completely! After a while, Utthara delivers a dead baby without any sign of life! The dead baby is in the form of a burnt stick – Primarily because Ashwatthama’s “Brahma-Shiras” has burnt the baby completely! Upon seeing a dead baby being delivered, the entire family is in grief! Utthara cannot see her child being dead even while it is born! It breaks her heart completely! On the other hand, Draupati is crying with uncontrollable grief as well! All the women folks are mourning this shocking incident! Now, Bhagawan Krishna’s “Deiva-Sankalpam” swings into action! He proclaims loudly with a lot of anger towards Ashwatthama thus, “Oh Ashwatthama! You’ve shown your attitude and cowardliness to the world by trying to destroy Yudishtra’s next generation. Now let me prove a point to this world – “Deiva Sankalpam” is extremely powerful and can defeat any human force in this world! Now that you’ve done whatever you’ve to do, it is now my responsibility to bring this dead baby back to life!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna continues further – “Oh Yudishtra! Oh Arjuna! Oh Draupati! Oh Sage Vyasa! If it is true that I’m a strict and an austere “Brahmachari” and if it is true that I’ve never uttered even a single lie in this world during this incarnation of mine, let this baby rise and come back to its life!” As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, He first takes the form of the Divine “Chakra-Aayudham”, enters into Utthara’s womb and protects the baby from the “Asthram”. Even after that, when Utthara delivers the baby, it comes out as a burnt stick! Now, Bhagawan Krishna plays a divine “Leela” here – He slowly caresses the baby with His divine toe and has a deep look at its face! After a few seconds of Bhagawan’s action, the baby suddenly springs to life! This makes people go into utter amazement and joy! Pariskshit is born in this world! Even though the next generation of the Pandavas is no more, (Abhimanyu and the Upa-Pandavas are dead), Parikshit comes as a savior for Yudishtra as part of the subsequent generation after Abhimanyu.
Now as this happens, Ashwatthama is helpless and he is in utter shock! As Parikshit has come to life, Ashwatthama has nothing more to do from here on. He accepts his defeat with a lot of embarrassment and shame, hands over the bell from his forehead into Bhagawan Krishna’s hands and silently leaves that place – Once and forever! Taking the bell from Ashwatthama’s hands, Bhagawan Krishna hands it over to Draupati. We’ve seen this earlier – Draupati wanted Yudishtra and Co. to go after Ashwatthama, kill him and bring his bell as a token of victory. Now that the entire episode has been completed, Draupati receives the bell from Bhagawan Krishna’s hands and with this, she is also happy! Now, Yudishtra asks a very important question to Bhaagwan Krishna thus, Oh Bhagawan! Why have all our friends and family members passed away like this? What is the reason behind this happening?” To this, Bhagawan Krishna is going to give a very important reply to Yudishtra, which we shall wait and witness in the next episode! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 