Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Soul Searching by Ashwathaamacharya

Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 

|| Hari Om ||

Om Krishnaya Namah

कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकीनन्दनाय च ।

नन्दगोपकुमाराय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥

Sri Krishna! Being a hope to the imprisoned Devaki & Vasudeva caused happiness by mesmerizing Nandagopa, Gopikas and even the Goddess of abundant beauty. Vasudeva! creation, sustenance, destruction and so on is a sports charm of you. Govinda! you are the cause & protector of Vedas.

Krishna, Vasudeva, Devaki Nandana, Nanda Gopa Kumara, Govinda, 
My repeated salutations to you.

नमः पङ्कजनाभाय नमः पङ्कजमालिने ।

नमः पङ्कजनेत्राय नमस्ते पङ्कजाङ्घ्रये ॥

My salutations to the Lotus of the navel. My salutations to the Lotus garlanded.

My salutations to Lotus petal eye. My salutations to the Lotus feet.

व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।

हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥

Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.

यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।

संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥

This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.

यद्भनौ यत्क्र्शानौ यदमृतकिरणे यद् ग्रहेषू दितेषु

ज्योतिर्यत्तारकासु प्रथितमणिषु यद्यच्च सौदामिनिषु ।

सम्भूयौतत् समस्तं त्वदमितह्रदयाकाशनिर्यत्प्रकाशे

धीर श्रीराघवेन्द्रव्रतिवरभजते हन्त खद्योतरीतिम् ॥

The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.

Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghvendra, भजते, I worship you by surrendering myself.

Ashwathamaacharya being cursed by Lord Sri Krishna saying “Your body will be full of soars, bleeding & stinking to irritate people. You are banished from the place of human dwellings. Go and live in the forest”, walks into a forest. As he walks into the forest, his mind becomes introspective. He starts Soul searching by reflecting on his bad dreams and starts comparing with the actual happenings. He starts realizing that most of his dreams had actually come true in one or the other way.  

Sri Suthacharya continuing the narration on the aftermath of an unfortunate massacre and the firing of Brahmashirsha Astra at Arjuna in the dream of Ashwathama says,

ततः प्रादुष्कृतं तेजः प्रचण्डं सर्वतो दिशम् ।

प्राणापदमभिप्रेक्ष्य विष्णुं जिष्णुरुवाच ह ॥ २१॥

The whole surroundings in all the ten directions got lighted-up bright as if the Sun God was in the midst of them. Arjuna’s inability to see the frightening brightness of the weapon arriving towards him prayed Sri Krishna seeking his refuge.

Ashwthama wonders what Arjun could do next! Even in his dream, he sees the way Arjuna is responding to a critical situation unlike himself.  Instead of reacting spontaneously all by himself, he sees Arjuna following Bhagavata dharma of offering prayers to Lord Sri Krishna for help and rescue.  

अर्जुन उवाच, Ashwathama being a form of God Rudra is the best of Vaishnavas. In his dream, he notes the following prayer though through Arjuna saying,

कृष्ण कृष्ण महाभाग भक्तानामभयङ्कर ।

त्वमेको दह्यमानानामपवर्गोऽसि संसृतेः ॥ २२॥

त्वमाद्यः पुरुषः साक्षादीश्वरः प्रकृतेः परः ।

मायां व्युदस्य चिच्छक्त्या कैवल्ये स्थित आत्मनि ॥ २३॥

स एव जीवलोकस्य मायामोहितचेतसः ।

विधत्से स्वेन वीर्येण श्रेयो धर्मादिलक्षणम् ॥ २४॥

तथायं चावतारस्ते भुवो भारजिहीर्षया ।

स्वानां चानन्यभावानामनुध्यानाय चासकृत् ॥ २५॥

Krishna, Krishna! You are Satchitananda. You have long arms with far-reaching authority being in the form of knowledge and bliss capable of giving refuge to all your devotees. All Jivas are burning in the cycle of death & birth afflicted with sorrow & grief. You are the only protector to redeem their sins and retrieve from the cycle of death & birth.

You are the one and only Adi Purusha standing above Prakriti. You are the only Lord having the Lordship over everything including Prakriti. Hence, you have the power to break the shield of Prakriti encapsulating Atma in which is also your presence.

Though the Jivas are deluded by Maya believing themselves as Prakriti, only your divine blessing brings them श्रेयो धर्मा or unfalling benefits. By reflecting on the Atma to make know your presence, brings self-realization to Jiva. 

Sri Krishna! This form of you is to reduce the weight of Sin on mother earth. Also, to enable your devotees to meditate your form so that they could be blessed with auspiciousness. 

Ashwathama observes in his dream how Arjuna is taking refuge of Lord and saying,

किमिदं स्वित्कुतो वेति देवदेव न वेद्म्यहम् ।

सर्वतोमुखमायाति तेजः परमदारुणम् ॥ २६॥

देवदेव! The divine Lord! This bright projectile is coming towards me. सर्वतोमुखं! It is coming towards me from all directions. I am frightened about this. What is this? From where is it coming from? I am not aware nor am I able to understand all this! 

Ashwathama notes that though he had a dream wherein Arjuna was unable to recognize the Brahmashirsha Astra, however, he was able to do so in reality.

श्रीभगवानुवाचवेत्थेदं. Ashwathama continuing to reflect his dream wherein Lord Sri Krishna says,

द्रोणपुत्रस्य ब्राह्ममस्त्रं प्रदर्शितम् ।

नैवासौ वेद संहारं प्राणबाध उपस्थिते ॥ २७॥

न ह्यस्यान्यतमं किञ्चिदस्त्रं प्रत्यवकर्शनम् ।

जह्यस्त्रतेज उन्नद्धमस्त्रज्ञो ह्यस्त्रतेजसा ॥ २८॥

Arjuna! This is the Brahmashirsha Astra shot by the son of Dronacharya, Ashwathama. Threatened by death, he has used this. However, he does not know how to call back.

There is no other weapon that has the ability to neutralize this. You’re an expert in weaponry. To neutralize this Brahmashirsha Astra, you need to fire another Brahmashirsha Astra. 

Reflecting on this incident, Ashwathama wonders how his dreams had messages to him. He had in the dream of the inability to callback Brahmashirsha Astra. During the execution of Brahmashirsha Astra too he realizes his inability to a callback. Also, when Lord Veda Vyasa asks him to the callback, he fails.  

सूत उवाच. Sri Sutaharya narrating the conversation between Lord Sri Krishna & Arjuna in Ashwathama’s dream to Sri Shaunaka & his fellow Rishis says, 

श्रुत्वा भगवता प्रोक्तं फाल्गुनः परवीरहा ।

स्पृष्ट्वापस्तं परिक्रम्य ब्राह्मं ब्राह्माय सन्दधे ॥ २९॥

संहत्यान्योन्यमुभयोस्तेजसी शरसंवृते ।

आवृत्य रोदसी खं च ववृधातेऽर्कवह्निवत् ॥ ३०॥

दृष्ट्वास्त्रतेजस्तु तयोस्त्रींल्लोकान् प्रदहन् महत् ।

दह्यमानाः प्रजाः सर्वाः सांवर्तकममंसत ॥ ३१॥

प्रजोपद्रवमालक्ष्य लोकव्यतिकरं च तम् ।

मतं च वासुदेवस्य सञ्जहारार्जुनो द्वयम् ॥ ३२॥

Great Rishis! The brave hero, an expert in warfare and always defeating enemies, Arjuna, immediately upon hearing the words of Lord Sri Krishna, took-up the act of Achamna for purification, circumambulating the Lord filled with Bhakti fired another Brahmashirsha Astra to neutralizing the one executed by Ashwathama

The brightness that emanated from both these projectiles encountered each other was like the blinding brightness of द्वादशार्या or twelve Suns and Fire during the pralaya or the end of this existence engulfing the region between the earth and sky.

Also, these Brahmashirsha Astra were burning all three regions of the universe, including the people of this, upper and lower regions. As the people burned in the fire, they thought that with the blinding brightness of Suns and the Fire, the time of pralaya had dawned in all the regions.   

Seeing the horrible impact caused by the two missiles on public and the destruction of the world, Lord Sri Krishna intended to neutralize the missiles.  Arjuna understanding the intent of Lord Sri Krishana, called back, both the missiles.  

However, Ashwatham realizing the reality wherein Lord Veda Vyasa had to intervene between the two missiles stopping their collusion. Also, Lord Veda Vyasa makes a truce between himself & Arjuna. Also, instructs them to call back the Brahmashirsha Astra. Arjuna does, but he fails. Therefore, Lord Veda Vyasa instructs him to callback at least through words. Ashwathama does so only limiting to Pandavas. Hence, Arjuna following Lord Veda Vyasa’s instruction to callsback his missile and also of Ashwathama that was intended to kill the five Pandavas.

तत आसाद्य तरसा दारुणं गौतमीसुतम् ।

बबन्धामर्षताम्राक्षः पशुं रशनया यथा ॥ ३३॥

शिबिराय निनीषन्तं दाम्ना बद्ध्वा रिपुं बलात् ।

प्राहार्जुनं प्रकुपितो भगवानम्बुजेक्षणः ॥ ३४॥

Being angry, Arjuna caught Ashwathama and tied his neck with the rope. He does that like done to animals. Arjuna dragged him to the camp. 

Lord Sri Krishna seemingly angry says,

मैनं पार्थार्हसि त्रातुं ब्रह्मबन्धुमिमं जहि ।

योऽसावनागसः सुप्तानवधीन्निशि बालकान् ॥ ३५॥

मत्तं प्रमत्तमुन्मत्तं सुप्तं बालं स्त्रियं जडम् ।

प्रपन्नं विरथं भीतं न रिपुं हन्ति धर्मवित् ॥ ३६॥

स्वप्राणान् यः परप्राणैः प्रपुष्णात्यघृणः खलः ।

तद्वधस्तस्य हि श्रेयो यद्दोषाद्यात्यधः पुमान् ॥ ३७॥

Arjuna! Don’t leave this killer, Brahmin alive. He has attacked the helpless children and women while sleeping. Kill him, says Lord Sri Krishna. He has killed the children while they were sleeping.

A wise, virtuous and a gentleman would not punish with death to a dull & ignorant or an intoxicated or to an insane or to one who is sleeping or children or women or a refugee or one who is scared. Even if he is an enemy.

However, punishing with death to a cruel culprit who kills others and always thinks about his own benefits is worthwhile. In fact, beneficial to everyone including the culprit. As the opportunity of sinning on this earth to the culprit gets reduced causing reduced time in hell. Also, society is benefited without such a cruel being.     

Reflecting this dream, Ashwathama observes that this was just in a dream and did not happen in reality. However, Ashwathama wished that Arjuna just not tie him with a rope, but should also kill him as he had done a heinous act of killing their children.

प्रतिश्रुतं च भवता पाञ्चाल्यै शृण्वतो मम ।

आहरिष्ये शिरस्तस्य यस्ते मानिनि पुत्रहा ॥ ३८॥

तदसौ वध्यतां पाप आतताय्यात्मबन्धुहा ।

भर्तुश्च विप्रियं वीर कृतवान् कुलपांसनः ॥ ३९॥

Not just that, says Lord Sri Krishna. You have promised Panchali in front of me saying, “Gracious & Kind hearted one! I shall cut the head of the slaughterer of your children and place it at your feet.”

Hence, Arjuna! You should kill this sinner. He has killed your children. Also, his leader, Duryodhana is also not happy with his act. 

While Ashwathama started observing how Arjuna, A Great Bhagavata or worshipper of the Lord would respond, Sri Sutacharya says, 

एवं परीक्षता धर्मं पार्थः कृष्णेन चोदितः ।

नैच्छद्धन्तुं गुरुसुतं यद्यप्यात्महनं महान् ॥ ४०॥

Lord Sri Krishna motivated Arjuna to test his righteous behavior. However, Arjuna had a pure heart with high moral values. Though Ashwathama had killed his children and also made an attempt to kill him, Arjuna did not like to kill the son of his teacher, Dronacharya. 

अथोपेत्य स्वशिबिरं गोविन्दप्रियसारथिः ।

न्यवेदयत्तं प्रियायै शोचन्त्या आत्मजान् हतान् ॥ ४१॥

तथाऽऽहृतं पशुवत्पाशबद्धमवाङ्मुखं कर्मजुगुप्सितेन ।

निरीक्ष्य कृष्णापकृतं गुरोः सुतं वामस्वभावा कृपया ननाम च ॥ ४२॥

उवाच चासहन्त्यस्य बन्धनानयनं सती ।

मुच्यतां मुच्यतामेष ब्राह्मणो नितरां गुरुः ॥ ४३॥

सरहस्यो धनुर्वेदः सविसर्गोपसंयमः ।

अस्त्रग्रामश्च भवता शिक्षितो यदनुग्रहात् ॥ ४४॥

स एष भगवान् द्रोणः प्रजारूपेण वर्तते ।

तस्यात्मनोऽर्धं पत्न्यास्ते नान्वगाद्वीरसूः कृपी ॥ ४५॥

तद्धर्मज्ञ महाभाग भवद्भिर्गौरवं कुलम् ।

वृजिनं नार्हति प्राप्तुं पूज्यं वन्द्यमभीक्ष्णशः ॥ ४६॥

मा रोदीदस्य जननी गौतमी पतिदेवता ।

यथाहं मृतवत्साऽऽर्ता रोदिम्यश्रुमुखी मुहुः ॥ ४७॥

यैः कोपितं ब्रह्मकुलं राजन्यैरजितात्मभिः ।

तत्कुलं प्रदहत्याशु सानुबन्धं शुचार्पितम् ॥ ४८॥

However, Arjuna with the help of his dear charioteer, Lord Sri Krishna reached their army camp and placed Ashwathama in front of Draupadi for her command. 

Draupadi was surprised to see Ashwathama being brought like an animal tied by a rope to his neck. Having carried out the heinous act of killing the children, Ashwathama hung his head with shame. Seeing the way Ashwathama was shamed, the kind-hearted Draupadi overflowing with compassion paid her respects with the gesture of Namaste. 

Unable to accept the situation of Ashwathama, she says, “Untie Ashwathama. Let him free. He is a Brahmana. They ascend to the position of divine teachers or Gurus, worthy of being worshipped.  

From whom you have gained the knowledge of Archery including usage & callback of Arrows as all types of missiles that Divine Dronacharya is standing in front of us in the form of his Son. He is the brave son of Kripi, the wife of Acharya Drona. Because of her fondness towards her son Ashwathama, she नान्वगाद् or did not accompany death along with her husband Krupacharya. She is living.     

The Law Abiding Gentlemen! Bringing sorrow by hurting the feelings of divine teacher including his lineage who are worthy of being worshiped everyday will not do well to us. 

The way I experienced sorrow & grief due to the death of my children, let Kripi, who is known for her devotion & virtuousness as a wife being called Gautami does not experience the same. Let her not weep.  

Allured by enthusiasm, if the King angers the brahmin community, the brahmins through their anger will burn him down.

सूत उवाच. Sri Sutacharya narrating the dream of Ashwathama says,

धर्म्यं न्याय्यं सकरुणं निर्व्यलीकं समं महत् ।

राजा धर्मसुतो राज्ञ्याः प्रत्यनन्दद्वचो द्विजाः ॥ ४९॥

नकुलः सहदेवश्च युयुधानो धनञ्जयः ।

भगवान् देवकीपुत्रो ये चान्ये याश्च योषितः ॥ ५०॥

Dear Shaunaka & all the assembled Rishis! Hearing Draupadi’s words which were righteous, law-abiding, balanced, kind-hearted, and having no deceit was appreciated & welcomed by the son of Dharma, Sri Yudhistira.

Also, Nakula, Sahadeva, Satyaki, Arjuna including Lord Sri Krishna and all men and women assembled there agreed with Draupadi and appreciated her stand.

Ashwathama reflecting his dream saw the objection being raised by Bheema. Sri Sutacharya narrating this says,

तत्राहामर्षितो भीमस्तस्य श्रेयान् वधः स्मृतः ।

न भर्तुर्नात्मनश्चार्थे योऽहन् सुप्तान् शिशून् वृथा ॥ ५१॥

निशम्य भीमगदितं द्रौपद्याश्च चतुर्भुजः ।

आलोक्य वदनं सख्युरिदमाह हसन्निव ॥ ५२॥

However, Bheema alone got angry and stated, "He has killed five children and that too while they were sleeping. His act has not benefited his master Duryodhana nor himself. He is worthy of being killed."  

Lord Sri Krishna hearing both Draupadi and Bheema with a smile on his face seeing Arjuna said thus:

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच

ब्रह्मबन्धुर्न हन्तव्य आततायी वधार्हणः ।

मयैवोभयमाम्नातं परिपाह्यनुशासनम् ॥ ५३॥

कुरु प्रतिश्रुतं सत्यं यत्तत्सान्त्वयता प्रियाम् ।

प्रियं च भीमसेनस्य पाञ्चाल्या मह्यमेव च ॥ ५४॥

Partha! Though a Brahmin is sinned and fallen, he is not worthy of being killed. However, killing the आततायी or AtatAyI or the culprit of murdering children is worthy of being killed. I, myself have these laws incorporated in the Shastras or indoctrinations. Hence, follow both the rules that I have decreed.    

Also, stand by your vow you took while consoling Draupadi saying that you shall cut the head of the Aatataayee and place it at her feet.

सूत उवाच. Narrating the dream of Ashwathama to Sri Shaunaka & fellow rishis, Sri Sutacharya says,

अर्जुनः सहसाऽऽज्ञाय हरेर्हार्दमथासिना ।

मणिं जहार मूर्धन्यं द्विजस्य सहमूर्धजम् ॥ ५५॥

Arjuna was quick to understand the intent of Lord Sri Krishna and was eager to please him. Hence, he pulled out his sword and cut open his head along with Sikha or tufted hair tied with a knot and took away the divine bead that was embedded in his head since his birth.  

विमुच्य रशनाबद्धं बालहत्याहतप्रभम् ।

तेजसा मणिना हीनं शिबिरान्निरयापयत् ॥ ५६॥

वपनं द्रविणादानं स्थानान्निर्यापणं तथा ।

एष हि ब्रह्मबन्धूनां वधो नान्योऽस्ति दैहिकः ॥ ५७॥

By killing five children of Draupadi, Ashwathama had already lost the Aura. By taking away his divine bead and Sikha, he even lost the Brahmavarchas or the divine Knowledge. After having lost conclusively and shamed, Ashwathama was let free out of their military camp. 
It is believed that the undying Ashwathama is chiranjeevi or immortal living on earth.   

Shaving the head including the Sikha or taking away money or dismissing from a position is equivalent to executing or carrying out death to a Brahmin.  Hence, one should not resort to physical execution.

पुत्रशोकातुराः सर्वे पाण्डवाः सह कृष्णया ।

स्वानां मृतानां यत्कृत्यं चक्रुर्निर्हरणादिकम् ॥ ५८॥

Engulfed in sorrow due to the loss of five children, Pandavas, and Draupadi went ahead carrying out the death ceremony of their children.

इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां प्रथमस्कन्धे

द्रौणिनिग्रहो नामसप्तमोऽध्यायः ॥ ७॥

With this, we complete "A Punishment to The Son of Dronacharya, Ashwathama” the seventh Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1.

We could do so only with the grace of Guru Sri Raghavendra and all his philosophical associates including Sri Saunaka & his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacharya, Sri Sukachary,, God Vayu, and Sri Hari as their Jnana Prasada.

And let's look forward to their continued blessings to see how the aggressive Brahmashirsha Astra that was not called back against the attack on the offsprings of Pandavas. Also, how Lord Sri Krishna ensured the continuity of Pandu lineage for another 1000 years in Kali Yuga. 

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||