Chapter 7 : The Brahmastra and the Shield of Krishna

In the sacred groves surrounding the river Sarasvati, sage Vyasa was engrossed in the enlightening tales narrated by Narada. Their dialogue now steered to a chapter in history that was both awe-inspiring and tragic, the life of Maharaja Parikshit.

Maharaja Parikshit, the then unborn heir to the glorious Pandava lineage, was already touched by destiny's hand even before he entered the world. His story unfolded amidst the embers of the Kurukshetra war. Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya, had unleashed the terrifying Brahmastra, aiming to obliterate the Pandava lineage as revenge for his father’s death.

The formidable weapon soared through the sky, a fiery comet destined for Uttara, the wife of Arjuna's son Abhimanyu, who was carrying Parikshit in her womb. Fearing the end of her lineage, Uttara rushed to Krishna, the divine charioteer and protector of the Pandavas, her voice quivering with desperation.

In a moment where time seemed to stand still, Lord Krishna, ever the compassionate and swift protector, intervened. He expanded His divine energy, creating a shield that enveloped the womb of Uttara. The Brahmastra, as potent as it was, met this divine shield and was rendered harmless, its fiery force extinguished.

The child, Parikshit, was saved, his first encounter with Krishna being while he was still in the womb. This profound experience left an indelible mark on Parikshit’s soul, ensuring that his life would be deeply intertwined with the divine.

Years later, Parikshit would ascend to the throne. He was a just and noble king, ruling with wisdom and a firm hand, always in accordance with dharma. His subjects adored him, for in him they saw the echo of his grandfathers, the Pandavas, and the grace of Lord Krishna himself.

One fateful day, during a rigorous expedition, the King, fatigued and thirsty, arrived at the ashram of the sage Shamika. The sage, deep in meditation, was oblivious to the King’s presence. In a moment of frustration, exacerbated by his physical condition, Parikshit impulsively placed a dead snake around the sage’s neck as a garland.

This action would set off a chain of events that would again connect Parikshit’s life with the divine, in ways he could not have foreseen.

As Narada narrated this chapter of the epic, Vyasa's eyes were reflective. Here, in the story of Parikshit, was a profound illustration of the constant interplay of destiny and divine grace. It was a lesson in humility, in consequences, and in the unfathomable ways of the Divine.

This chapter unveils the life of Maharaja Parikshit, from his miraculous survival before birth due to Krishna's intervention, to his later life which would unfold as a series of divine and moral lessons, constantly guided by his deep connection to the Divine.