Who · Arjuna, Aśvatthāmā, Kṛṣṇa, Draupadī and Bhīma
The story · Aśvatthāmā, who had murdered the princes, fled in fear when he saw Arjuna approaching. During the confrontation, the rays of two brahmāstras combined into a great circle of fire covering the sky. Arjuna brought the murderer to his camp, where Draupadī was grieving for her sons. Kṛṣṇa said that the killer of innocent sleeping boys should not simply be released, while another appeal warned against bringing grief to respectable family members. After hearing Bhīma, Draupadī and the others, Kṛṣṇa turned toward Arjuna and began to speak.
What it teaches · The discussion brings together the gravity of killing innocent children and concern for the grief of others. Kṛṣṇa guides Arjuna as he faces the question of punishment.