Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 7, Slokas 49-58)

By Sugunan (Recap given by Shoba on 13 Feb ‘03)

The concluding slokas of Chapter 7 showed to us, how great devotees behave in difficult situations? Though Asvattama killed five yuva pandavas, Panchali wanted to pardon him. Even though Arjuna and Bhima wanted to take revenge on Asvattama, she asked Arjuna to release him since she did not want to see his mother’s sufferings. Bhagavatam shows that even Krishna’s mother Devaki could not forgive Kamsa till the end, but in the case of Panchali, there was a complete change of heart. This was a realy transformation.


In the case of Asvattama, Panchali took a decision based on righteousness, which was lawful, merciful, sincere, balanced and praiseworthy in everyway. Krishna instructed Arjuna to punish Asvattama in a suitable manner to satisfy Panchali, Bhima and Him. Arjuna understood Krishna’s intention, cut-off with his sword the head-tuft of Asvatthama together with the crest-jewel that was a natural feature on his head and released him. Shaving the head of a Brahmin and expelling him from a place are equivalent to killing him. Then Pandavas performed the funeral rites of the children.

As long as we keep meeting only ordinary people, our lives cannot but be ordinary. Unless we come in contact with some who lives at a higher plane, we will continue to remain where we are. Let us read through Bhagavatam to understand how these extraordinary people (devotees) lived their life, how they behaved in difficult situation, what did they demand from Lord and follow their footsteps!