Sauptika Parva — Arjuna revives the child. The curse of Krishna on Ashvatthaman. Vyasa's approval of Krishna's curse. Drona's son accepts the curse and gives up the gem on his head.…

Vaishampayana said "O foremost of men, seeing those two Rishis effulgent like fire, Dhananjaya quickly resolved to withdraw his celestial arrows.

Joining his hands, he said to those Rishis,'I discharged this weapon, saying,—Let it neutralise the enemy's weapon.

If I withdraw this great weapon. Drona's sinful son will then, forsooth, consume us all with the power of his weapon.

You two are like gods. You should find out some means by which our well-being, as also that of the three worlds may be secured.'-Saying so Dhananjaya withdrew his weapon. The withdrawal of that weapon can with difficulty be made by the gods themselves in battle.

Not excepting the great Indra himself, there was none save the son of Pandu, who could withdraw that high weapon after it had one been discharged.

That weapon was begotten of Brahma energy. No person of impure soul can withdraw it after it is once discharged. Only one who leads the life of a Brahmacharin can do it.

If one who had not practised the vow of Brahmacharya tries to withdraw it after having shot it, it strikes off his own head and kills him with all his equipment's.

Arjuna was a Brahmacharin and an observer of vows. Having secured that almost unattainable weapon, he had tiever used it even when put into the greatest of difficulties.

Truthful, heroic, and leading the life of a Brahmacharin, the son of Pandu was ever obedient to all his superiors. It was for this that he could withdrew his weapon.

Seeing those two Rishis standing before him, Drona's son could not by his energy withdraw his own dreadful weapon.

Unable to withdraw the great weapon in battle, Drona's son, O king, with a depressed heart, said to the Rishi, Vyasa.

In fear of a great calamity, and desirous of saving my life, I discharged this weapon, through fear of Bhimasena, O Sage.

This Bhimasena acted sinfully, and dishonestly while killing the son of Dhritarashtra in battle.

It is for this, O Rishi, I discharged this weapon! I dare not, however, withdraw it now.

Having put into this irresistible and celestial weapon the energy of fire, I discharged it for the destruction of the Pandavas.

Discharged for the destruction of the Pandavas, this weapon, therefore, will take away the lives of all the sons of Pandu.

O Rishi, I have, under the influence of anger, done this sinful deed! I invoked this weapon in battle for the destruction of the Pandavas!'

Pritha's son Dhananjaya, O child, knew the use of the weapon called Brahmashira. Neither from anger, nor for your destruction in battle, did he discharge that weapon.

Arjuna, on the other hand, let it off for baffling your weapon. He has again withdrawn it.

Having obtained even the Brahma weapon through your fathers instructions the powerful Dhananjaya did not deviate from a Kshatriya's duties.

Arjuna is endued with such patience, and honesty. He is, besides, a master of every weapon. Why do you try to bring about the destruction of such a man with all his brothers.

The region where the weapon Brahmashira is counteracted by another high weapon, suffers from a drought for twelve years, for the clouds do not pour a drop of water you.

Therefore the mighty-armed son of Pandu, although he had the power, would not still, for doing good of living creatures, baffle your weapon with his.

The Pandavas should be protected; your self should be protected; the kingdom also should be protected. Therefore, withdraw this your celestial weapon.

Drive away from your heart, and let the Pandavas be self! The royal sage Yudhishthira never wishes to gain victory be perpetrating any sinful act.

Give them that gem which is on your head. Taking that, the Pandavas will grant in return your life.

Drona's son said This my gem is more valuable than all the wealth that has ever been acquired by the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

Whenever this gem is used, the wearer entertains no fear from weapons or discase or hunger. He ceases to have any fear of celestials and Danavas and Nagas.

He does not fear the Rakshasas and the robbers, these are the virtues of my gem.

I cannot, by any means, part with it. Whatever, O holy one, you command me, should be done by me. Here is this gem! Here is myself! This blade of grass, converted into a dreadful weapon, will, however, fall into the wombs of the Pandava women, for this weapon is high and powerful, and cannot be baffled. O Rishi, I am unable to withdraw it, having once discharged it. I will not throw this weapon into the wombs of the Pandava women. As regards your other commands, O Rishi, I will obey them.

Vyasa said Do then this. Do not, however, cherish any other purpose, O sinless one. Stop throwing this weapon into the wombs of the Pandava women.

Vaishampayana said Having heard these words of Dvaipayana Vyasa, the son of Drona threw that uplifted weapon into the wombs of the Pandava women.

Vaishampayana said Having heard these words of Dvaipayana Vyasa, the son of Drona threw that uplifted weapon into the wombs of the Pandava women.