Birth of Emperor Parīkṣit

The twelfth chapter describes how the King celebrated the birth of Parīkṣit, and heard his future life from the brāhmaṇas. No one had ever heard of such a devotional king, who saw Kṛṣṇa when he was in the womb and punished Kali.

Sūta had promised to tell about Parīkṣit’s birth, but was sidetracked in reciting the sweet topics of how Parīkṣit was protected in the womb, the prayers of Kuntī, the passing of Bhīṣma, the journey to and entrance into Dvārakā, and Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes with the queens there. Śaunaka, desiring to hear about Parīkṣit’s birth, again asks about this specifically. Upasṛṣtena means “being thrown.”

Three verses describe Yudhiṣṭhira in order to indicate that the cause of attaining such a grandson was his attachment to Kṛṣṇa. Apīpalat means “he protected.”

The wealth and other items were desired by the devatās. Spārhāḥ means desire, coming from spṛha, by adding the internal vowel “a”. Did these things create happiness for the King? No. The reason is given: he was thinking of Mukunda. “Other things” includes sandalwood and garlands offered in honor.

The topic of discussion now begins. Because of his natural courage (vīraḥ), he was not afraid of the fire of the weapon. His first perception of objects by his mental eyes was the form of the Lord.

Though the Lord extends in all directions, he arranged to become the size of the thumb simply because he became situated in the womb. Actually he saw the Lord of that size in that particular place only by the inconceivable power of the Lord. There is no other reason for this. Later one it is said:

sa eṣa loke vikhyātaḥ parīkṣid iti yat prabhuḥ |

pūrvaṁ dṛṣṭam anudhyāyan parīkṣeta nareṣv iha ||

Because he constantly remembered the Lord whom he had seen in the womb and searched for him among all men, he was famous Parīkṣit in this world. SB 1.12.39

He would not look among men to find that form if it had actually only been the size of a thumb.

The form he saw was most beautiful (apīvya-darśanam). He wore a gold crown. Maulin is formed from mauli (crown) in the class of words like vrīhī. He was dark in complexion and wearing cloth shining like lightning. This indicates that his form, like a rain cloud ornamented with lightning, had suddenly appeared in the sky of Uttarā’s womb to save the young elephant Parīkṣit who was being burned by the forest fire of the brahmāstra.

Kṣatajākṣam (blood eyes) means that his eyes became very red because of anger at the brahmaṣtra.

Like the sun (gopatiḥ) destroys frost (nīhāram) he destroyed the brahmāstra. He considered (paryaikṣata) “Who has saved me by those martial stances, even though he is not related to me?”

Dharmagup means “the Lord who maintains his quality of being affectionate to his devotee.” He was seen by Parīkṣit who was just about to be born, being ten months in the womb (daśamāsasya). The Lord disappeared there, where he was situated, without going elsewhere, because he is all powerful (vibhuḥ). He entered the womb and, attracting Parīkṣit’s mind (hariḥ, attractor), he then disappeared. This is the quality of the thief: he enters in and then disappears. Like a deceitful night prowler, he had entered into the womb to steal Parīkṣit’s mind. This metaphor is implied.

Sarva-guṇā udarakaḥ means in the future all good qualities would manifest. When he was born there was a conjunction of favorable planets in the ascendant.

Jātakam means the birth rites.

Prajā-tīrthe means “at the auspicious time of a son’s birth.” Putre jāte vyatīpāte dattaṁ bhavati cākṣayam: what is given at the birth of a son or during calamity has indestructible results.

tasmān nāmnā viṣṇu-rāta iti loke bhaviṣyati |

na sandeho mahā-bhāga mahā-bhāgavato mahān ||

Though the pure (śukle) dynasty of the Purus was destroyed (upeyuṣi), this son was given (rātaḥ). The brāhmaṇas say “without doubt” to the King who did not believe that his son had such qualities.

Having heard that Parīkṣit would be a great devotee, the astonished king inquired with reverence. Api svit indicates a question. Anuvartitā means “follow the qualities of.” Will he be like them or not?

You asked if he would have fame like the previous great kings. All their qualities by which they became famous exist in this boy now, and as the occasion arises, they will manifest. Therefore they were not equal to him (since he has the qualities of all of them.) This is what we have observed. With this intention they speak. Prajā avitā means protector of the people. Satya-sandhaḥ means “true to one’s promise.”

Śibi was the ruler of the province of Uśīnara. He protected a pigeon who had surrendered to him by offering his own flesh to a hawk. Bharata was the son of Duṣyanta (or Duṣmanta).

The two Arjunas are the son of Pṛthā and Kārtavīrya-arjuna.

The earth, though all-enduring, does not experience the pain of others’ sharp words. But he, even though sometimes experiencing that pain, will still not react. The example for that is the patience or tolerance of the parents.

Pitāmaha is Yudhiṣṭhira. Sāmye means that he has hatred for no one. Ramāśrayaḥ (shelter of Lakṣmī) means Nārāyaṇa.

In this verse they make one object of comparison with all the qualities. He is equal to Kṛṣṇa in being glorious with all good qualities

Sad-grahaḥ means “he accepts most excellent.” Having spoken of Parīkṣit’s qualities, they then describe his activities.

Upasarjitāt means “being dispatched.”

Jijñāsitātma-yāthārthyaḥ means “he who had discerned the truth about the Lord.” Idam refers to the body.

Labdhā apacitayaḥ means “those who were worshipped.”

The name Parīkṣit is explained. Remembering the person he had seen in the womb, he pondered “Is this the person or not?” in all the people he saw (nareṣu iha). Pūrva-dṛṣṭam instead of pūrvaṁ dṛṣṭam is also seen.

Just as the moon increases during the waxing phase and becomes full by the succeeding digits, being surrounded by the directions (kāsthābhiḥ), Parīkṣit grew by the care and affection, being surrounded by his parents.

He considered that there was no alternative to taxes or force, because it was necessary to have abundant wealth for the sacrifice.

They brought gold vessels cast off (prahīṇam) from Marutta’s performance of sacrifice.

Sambhṛta-sambhāraḥ means “having collected the ingredients of sacrifice.” Bhītaḥ means “fearing the killing of relatives.”

Taking the permission of the king, Draupadī and other friends, he then departed for Dvārakā with Arjuna, surrounded by the Yadus.