Ashwatthama

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Ashwatthama in Javanese Wayang

A character of the Indian epic Mahābhārata, Ashwatthama (Sanskrit: अश्वत्थामा, Aśvatthāmā) or Ashwatthaman (Sanskrit: अश्वत्थामन्, Aśvatthāman) or Drauni was the son of guru Drona. Drona did many years of severe penance to please Lord Shiva in order to obtain a son who possesses the same valiance as Lord Siva. Aswatthama is the avatar of one of the eleven Rudras and he is one of the seven Chiranjivi or the immortal ones. Ashwatthama and Kripa were born as Chiranjivi's and cannot be killed by any kind of weapons. Aswatthama along with his maternal uncle Kripa are believed to be the lone survivors still living who actually fought in the kurukshetra war. Aswatthama was born with a gem in his forehead which gives him power over all living beings lower than humans, it protect him from hunger, thirst and fatigue. This gem is supposed to protect him from attacks by ghosts, demons, poisonous insects, snakes, animals etc. Dronacharya loved him very dearly. The rumours about his death in the Kurukshetra war led to the death of Drona at the hands of Prince Dhrishtadyumna. He is the grandson of the Brahmin sage Bharadwaja. Ashwatthama is a mighty Maharathi who fought on the Kaurava side against the Pandavas.

Along with sage Parashurama, sage Vyasa and sage Kripa, Aswatthama is considered to be foremost among the rishis in Kaliyuga. Aswatthama will become the next sage Vyasa, who in turn divide the Veda in 29th Mahayuga of 7th Manvantara. Aswatthama will also become one of the Saptarishi in the 8th Manvantara along with sage Vyasa, sage Kripa and sage Parashurama. His physical description in the Mahabharata is that he is incredibly tall, with dark skin, dark eyes, and a gem in his forehead. Like Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, and Arjuna, he is a master of the science of weapons and is regarded as the foremost among warriors. Aswatthama studied Dhanurveda or martial arts and Brahmavidya or the science of the self or atma from Lord Parasurama, Maharishi Durvasa, Maharishi Ved Vyasa, Bhishma,Kripa and Drona. Aswatthama is the master of all forms of knowledge and possesses complete mastery over 64 forms of arts or Kalas and 18 Vidyas or branches of knowledge.

Etymology

According to The Mahabharata, Aswatthaman means "the horse-voiced". It is so called because when he was born he cried like a horse

Drona's love for Ashwatthama

Ashwatthama was the son of Dronacharya and Kripi, sister of Kripacharya. Drona loved his son very dearly. Dronacharya was very poor. Once when Ashwatthama was a child, he desired to drink milk, like he had seen friends drink. Not even owning a cow, Ashwatthama painted his lips with a mixture of wheat flour with water, making it seem as if he had drank milk. This scene saddened Dronacharya. He remembered his childhood friend Drupada, who in a spurt of youthful exuberance, had promised to give Drona half of whatever he had . Dronacharya went to the court of Drupada to ask for a cow. King Drupada humiliated Drona, saying friendship existed only between equals. He told Drona to ask as a Brahmin asks for alms, but not as a friend, and Drupada would do his kingly duty and provide whatever he asked. Refusing, Dronacharya returned empty-handed and humiliated.

After this incident, on seeing the plight of Dronacharya, Kripacharya, who was teaching the Kuru princes, invited Drona to Hastinapur. There, he came upon the attention of his co-disciple Bhishma. Thus, Dronacharya became the guru of the Pandavas and of the Kauravas in Hastinapur. Ashwatthama was trained in the art of warfare along with them.

Avatar of Lord Shiva

Ashwatthama, the powerful son of Drona, though known as the part incarnate of Rudra, was really born of the four parts of Yama, Rudra,Kama(Cupidity) and Krodha(Anger). Just before Mahabaratha war, Bhishma himself declared that it will be virtually impossible for anyone to kill or defeat Ashwatthama in war as he is the part incarnate of Lord Shiva and he was born to become a Chiranjivi. Bhishma said when Ashwatthama becomes angry then it will be impossible to fight him as he becomes a second Siva. No one can handle his wrath and fury. Bhishma told Duryodhana

Amongst the warriors of both armies, there is no one who can be regarded as his peer.

Lord Krishna and sage Vyasa also know about this and they advised Arjuna to seek the blessing of Lord Siva himself to defeat Kaurava army in war otherwise it will be impossible to defeat the army containing Ashwatthama,the part incarnate of Lord Siva. While Arjun was doing penance, Lord Indra went to Arjuna in the guise of a celibate and asked about the purpose for which he was doing penance. Arjuna told him that he wanted to defeat the Kauravas. Indra then told Arjuna that it was not in his capacity to help him achieve victory over the Kauravas, because of Ashwatthama who was a partial incarnation of Shiva. Indra advised Arjuna to please lord Shiva by his penance so that his wishes could be fulfilled. Lord Siva blessed victory to Arjuna but warned that it is impossible for anyone to kill Ashwatthama or agitate his anger. Later the false story of Ashwatthama's death led to the assassination of his father Guru Drona.The tragic death of Drona made Aswathama extremely angry and these events led to the complete annihilation of Pandava lineage by the hands of Ashwatthama himself.

Role in the Kurukshetra war

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Ashwatthama uses Narayanastra

Since Hastinapur, ruled by King Dhritarashtra, offered Dronacharya the privilege of teaching the Kuru princes, both Dronacharya and Ashwatthama were loyal to Hastinapur and fought for the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war. Before Dronacharya's death, Ashwatthama visited his father in order to seek his blessing so that he could win the war for the Kauravas, but Dronacharya refused. He advised Ashwatthama to win the war using his own strength and not through a blessing from him.Earlier Dronacharya's favorite disciple and Pandava prince Arjuna already sought such a blessing and Drona gave that blessing to Arjuna.

Despite his friendship with the Pandavas, Ashwatthama had great familiarity with Duryodhana. He was attracted to Duryodhana's gregarious nature, and to Duryodhana's largesse bestowed upon him. Moreover, just as Duryodhana believed that the Pandavas were taking his birthright to the crown, Ashwatthama felt that the Pandava Arjuna was usurping his place in Drona's heart.

On the 10th day of the war, Bhisma got severely wounded and was placed on bed of arrows, Drona (Ashwatthama's father) is named the supreme commander of the armies. He promises Duryodhana that he will capture Yudhishthira, but then he repeatedly fails to do so. Duryodhana taunts and insults him, which greatly angers Ashwatthama. This causes friction between Ashwatthama and Duryodhana. Lord Krishna knew that it was not possible to defeat Droṇāchārya when he had bow and arrow in his hands. Lord Kṛiṣhṇa also knew that Droṇācārya loved his son Ashwatthama very dearly. So, Krishna suggested to Yudhiṣṭhira and other Pāṇḍava brothers that, if he were convinced that his son was killed on the battlefield, then Droṇācārya would be so sad that he would lay down all his arms on the ground and it would be easier to kill him.

In order to find a way out,Lord Kṛiṣhṇa suggested Bhīma to kill an elephant by name Ashwatthama and claim to Droṇācārya that he has killed Droṇacharya's son Aśvatthāma. After killing the elephant as suggested; he loudly proclaimed that he had killed Aśvatthāma. Droṇācārya however, did not believe Bhīma's words as he knew that it was impossible for anyone to kill Aśvatthāma and he approached Yudhisthira. Droṇa knew of Yudhiṣṭhira's firm adherence to Dharma and that he would never ever utter a lie. When Droṇācārya approached Yudhiṣṭhira and questioned him as to whether his son was dead, Yudhiṣṭhira responded with the cryptic 'Aśvatthāma is dead. But it is an elephant and not your son'( Sanskrit: Aśvatthāmā hatho hataḥ, अश्वत्थामा हतोहतः)( Sanskrit: naro vā kuñjaro vā, नरो वा, कुञ्जरो वा).Kṛiṣhṇa also knew that it was not possible for Yudhiṣṭhira to lie outright. On his instructions, the other warriors blew trumpets and conches, raising a tumultuous noise in such a way that Droṇācārya only heard that "Aśvatthāma was dead"( Sanskrit: Aśvatthāmā hatho hataḥ, अश्वत्थामा हतोहतः), but could not hear the latter part of Yudhiṣṭhira's reply( Sanskrit: naro vā kuñjaro vā, नरो वा, कुञ्जरो वा).

Out of grief and not believing Yudhiṣṭhira's reply that his son is dead, Droṇācārya descended from his chariot, laid down his arms and sat in meditation. Closing his eyes, his soul went to Heaven by Astral travel in search of Aśvatthāma's soul. Dhrishtadyumna took this opportunity and beheaded the unarmed Droṇāchārya.Though it was highly prohibited according to the rules of the war as agreed by the 2 parties before the fight to kill an unarmed warrior or attacking from the back Pandavas and Lord Krishna bend these rules to kill Dronacharya.Thus, on the 15th day of battle,Guru Drona was cheated to death by Lord Krishna and Pandava brothers,especially Yudhishthira.Dhrishtadyumna cited the unjust death of Abhimanyu as a reason for this unethical killing of Guru Drona.After the killing of Drona, Dhristadyumna was abused by Satyaki and Arjuna, who were devoted students of Drona, but was defended by Draupadi. Yudhishthira's chariot which was floating on the air from the beginning of the war due to his high virtue fell down to earth after this act and later Yudhishthira went to hell after his death due to this particular action.It was the sole unethical act of Yudhishthira during his entire period of life. Ashwatthama rages and the furious Ashwatthama unleashed Narayanastra on the Pandava army.The Narayanastra was the personal weapon of lord Vishnu in his Narayana form.Earlier Lord Narayana gifted this weapon to Drona and Drona himself passed this terrible astra to his son Ashwatthama.Only Drona,Ashwatthama,Parasurama and Lord Krishna possessed the knowledge of this weapon .This astra fires a powerful tirade of millions of deadly missiles simultaneously. The intensity of the shower increases with resistance. The only way of defense towards this missile, is to show total submission before the missiles hit. This in turn will cause this weapon to stop and spare the target.When it was used, Ekadasha (Eleven) Rudras appeared in the sky to destroy Pandavas. Millions of types of weapons like Chakra, Gadha, ultra sharp arrows appeared in rage to destroy them.Who ever tried to offend were destroyed and large number of Pandava troops died. Lord Krishna, who is an Avatar of Vishnu tells the Pandavas and their warriors to drop their weapons and lie down on the ground, so that they all surrender completely to the power of this weapon.When targeted, Bhima refuses to surrender thinking that it as a cowardice act, and attacks the downpour of fiery arrows. The Narayana weapon concentrates its shower on him, and he gets steadily exhausted and severely injured.However, he was not killed as Krishna and his brothers restrained him and asked him to surrender.This act of surrender saved the lives of Bhima and Pandava brothers.

The Narayana astra destroyed one Akshauhini of Pandava army completely.After the use of Narayana astra, terrible war between both armies took place. Ashwatthama defeated Dhrishtadyumna in direct combat, but failed to kill because many Pandava mahartha's came for the aid of Dhrishtadyumna and fought together against Ashwatthama. Though it was prohibited,Pandava maharatha's broke the code of engagement by fighting together against a single maharatha to protect Dhrishtadyumna.Then kaurava warriors came to the aid of but Ashwatthama but Dhrishtadyumna was saved by Satyaki and Bhima.Terrible war took place between the maharatha's of both sides and Ashwatthama defeated Satyaki and Bhima in direct combat and both fled away from the battle field.Yudishtira blamed himself for the heavy loss he suffered at the hands of Ashwatthama.

Despite his animosity, after the death of Dushasana, Ashwatthama still suggested Duryodhana that he make peace with the Pandavas, keeping in mind the welfare of Hastinapur. Duryodhana strongly rejected his suggestion.Later after being struck down by Bhima below the waist during mace fight and facing death,King Duryodhana send messenger for the remaining 3 survivors of the war from Kaurava side.Kripa,Kritavarma and Ashwatthama rushed to the spot of Duryodhana after hearing the message. Duryodhana told them

You should never repose any confidence upon the Pandavas, those violators of rules, who have perpetrated many unrighteous acts! I have, in battle, been slain by Bhimasena most unrighteous way!.Never ever forget how they cheated and slayed Bhishma,Drona,Karna and Bhushriva!

Hearing these Ashwatthama flamed up in anger and told Duryodhana

My sire(Drona) was slain by those wretches with a cruel contrivance. That act, however, doth not burn me so keenly as this plight to which thou hast been reduced, O king! Listen to these words of mine that I utter,swearing by Truth itself, O lord, and by all my acts of piety, all my gifts, my religion, and the religious merits I have won. I shall today, in the very presence of Vasudeva, despatch all the Pancalas, by all means in my power, to the abode of Yama. It behoveth thee, O monarch, to grant me permission!

Hearing these words Duryodhana made Ashwatthama as the commander of his army and said to Kripa and Kritavarma

O preceptor(Kripa), bring me without delay a pot full of water!.Let the son of Drona, be at my command installed as generalissimo, if thou wishest to do me the good!

Attack on Pandava camp

Ashwatthama propitiates Lord Śiva before and making night attack on the Pandava camp

On the night a very disturbed and restless Ashwatthama was sitting sleepless under a large tree planning about future actions to be taken. An owl ambushing a group of crows caught his attention. This gave him an idea of attacking the Pandava camp at night. He gathered the only other surviving Kaurava warriors—Kritavarma and Kripacharya and attacked the Pandava camp on the 18th night of the Kurukshetra war.

Ashvatthama said to Kripacharya and Kritavarma.

The Pandavas broken the bridge of righteousness into a hundred fragments.My father (Drona), Karna,Shantanu's son Bhishma, Bhurishrava and Duryodhana hath been slain unrighteously by the Pandavas and Panchalas in the very sight of all the lords of earth.The unrighteous and sinful Pancalas, who have broken down the barrier of virtue.Having slain the Pancalas, those slayers of my sire(Drona), in the night when they are buried in sleep, I care not if I am born a worm or a winged insect in my next life. That which I have resolved is hurrying me towards its accomplishment

The 3 warriors proceeded to the Pandava camp. Kripa and Kritavarma waited outside for slaying those who come out of the camp and Ashvatthama proceeded into the camp. When reached there,Ashvatthama found a Bhairava guarding the Pandava camp assigned by Lord Krishna for the protection of Pandavas and resisted his every attempt to enter into Pandava camp.So Ashvatthama worshiped Lord Shiva for the fulfillment of his desires.Ashvatthama offered himself as an oblation to Lord Shiva into the fire. He prayed to Lord Shiva.

Sprung from Angirasa's line, I am about to pour my soul, O god, as a libation on this fire! Accept, O lord, this victim! In this hour of distress, O Soul of the universe, I offer up my own self as the sacrificial victim, from devotion to thee and with heart concentrated in meditation! All creatures are in thee and thou art in all creatures! Assemblage of all high attributes occur in thee! O lord, O thou art the refuge of all creatures. I wait as a libation for thee, since I am unable to vanquish my foes. Accept me, O god.

Having said these words, Ashvatthama offered himself up as the victim into sacrificial fire and entered that blazing fire. Seeing this,the pleased Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in her most ferocious Kali form appeared before Ashvatthama with their gana's. There appeared millions of Siva ganas who where extremely frightening and fierce for the aid of Ashvatthama. Also there appeared millions of Kali Sakthis, Kalika Nityas and Kalika Yoginis. They eagerly awaited for the impending massacre. Lord Siva smilingly told Ashvatthama.

With truth, purity, sincerity, resignation, ascetic austerities, vows,forgiveness, devotion, patience, thought, and word, I have been duly adored by Krishna. For honoring him and at his word I have protected the Pancalas and displayed diverse kinds of illusion. By protecting the Pancalas I have honored him. They have, however, been afflicted by time. The period of their lives hath run out.

Having said these words to Ashvatthama, Lord Shiva entered into Ashvatthama's body after giving him an excellent and polished sword. Filled by that divine being, Ashvatthama blazed up with energy. In consequence of that energy derived from the godhead, Ashvatthama became all-powerful in battle.Kali appeared in her most terrible form with 64 hands with different kinds of weapons for the aid of Ashwathama and for the destruction of Pandava army. The appearance of Kali was earlier prophasised and Lord Krishna knew about this in advance,so he purposedly kept 5 Pandava princes and Satyaki away from Panava camp and stayed at the camp of Duryodhana. Since the begining of the war many Pandava soldiers saw horrific dreams about a fercious form and considered this as a very bad omen. This ferocious being was inturn Mahakali and their dream came true. Siva and Kali gana's ,many invisible beings, pisachas, rakshasas and all kinds of evil spirits proceeded along with Ashvatthama's right and his left side as he set out, like the lord Shiva himself, for entering the camp of his foes.With the sword of Lord Shiva, Ashvatthama and Siva Ganas burned the entire Pandava camp to ashes leaving nothing behind. Hearing the loud and frightening roars of the Gana's the entire Pandava camp wakes up. Ashvatthama first kicked and woke up Dhrishtadyumna, the commander of the Pandava army and the killer of his father Drona.They both fought with bare hands and Dhrishtadyumna was no match for Ashvatthama empowered with Lord Shiva.

Dhrishtadyumna begged for mercy at the foot of Ashvatthama. He strangled Dhrishtadyumna to death and fought with entire remaining Pandava army alone.He moved on and fought with Shikhandi, Uttamaujas and many other prominent warriors of the Pandava army and killed all of them in direct fight.None of them was able to resist Ashvatthama empowered by Lord Shiva.Those who tried to flee from Ashwatthama's wrath, were hacked down by Kripacharyya and Kritavarma at the camp's entrance.Siva ganas assisted Ashwatthama, attacked and killed the Pandavas and Panchalas and feasted upon them. Siva ganas, Kalika Nityas,Sakthis and Yoginins drank the blood of the soldiers and danced in joy. Hearing the loud noise inside the camp Upapandavas came with weapons and Ashvatthama fought with them and killed all of them. After destroying the entire Pandava camp, Ashwatthama proceeds towards Duryodana with the cut off heads of 5 Pandava sons.He told Duryodhana that he only managed to kill the Pandava's children as the Pandavas were not not there, and this makes Duryodhana happy, as that means the Pandava lineage would die out.Ashwatthama told Duryodhana.

O Duryodhana, thou hast any life in thee still, listen to these words that are so pleasant to hear. On the side of the Pandavas, only seven are alive, and among the Dhartarashtras, only we three! The seven on their side are the five brothers and Vasudeva and Satyaki; on our side, we three are myself and Kripa and Kritavarma! All the sons of Draupadi have been slain, as also all the children of Dhrishtadyumna! All the Pancalas too have been slain, as also the remnant of the Matsyas, O Bharata! Behold the vengeance taken for what they had done! The Pandavas are now childless! Penetrating into their camp in the night, O king, I have slain Dhrishtadyumna, that wight of sinful deeds, as one kills an animal.

Duryodhana then, having heard those words that were so agreeable to his heart, regained his senses and replied to Ashwatthama.

That which neither Ganga's son(Bhishma), nor Karna, nor thy sire(Drona), could achieve, hath at last been achieved by thee today, accompanied by Kripa and Bhoja. Thou hast slain that low wretch (Dhrishtadyumna) who was commander of the Pandava forces, as also Shikhandi. In consequence of this I regard myself equal to Maghavat himself! Good be to you all! Let prosperity be yours! All of us will again meet together in heaven!

Duryodhana died happily after hearing this and the 3 remaining warriors of Kaurava army done the cremation of Duryodhana.After these events Lord Shiva exited out of the body of Ashwatthama and left along with his ganas to his abode Kailas.

Later Ashwatthama went to Sage Veda Vyasa's ashram and told everything to him. Aswattahma believed that it was acceptable for him to attack the unexpected Pandavas due to his father’s death by unjust means. Although he did believe his vengeance to be justified, he was warned by people of his own side that it was not. Kripa even tells Aswatthama to seek the advice of Dhritarashtra and Vidura, elders of his family who are much wiser and more experienced than the young Aswatthama. “Aswatthama rejects Kripa’s reasoning: all men favour their own judgements Aswatthama, though a Brahmin, has always followed the Kshatriya Dharma." They are not too pleased with Aswattahma‘s words and advise him not to go through with this adharmic plan. “Kripa emphasises the importance of taking the advise of friends and elders, and counsels Aswatthama against pursuing his plan.". After aswatthamas attack on Pandava camp, only Satyaki,Lord Krishna and fives Pandavas were the remaining survivors of the kurukshetra war from Pandava side.

The Pandavas and Krishna who were away during night, now returned to their camp the next day morning.Hearing the news of these events in the morning Yudishtira fainted and the Pandavas become inconsolable.Later Yudishtira lamented in great affliction and said

Alas, having vanquished the foe, we have ourselves been vanquished in the end! The course of events is difficult to be ascertained even by persons endued with spiritual sight. The foes, who were vanquished have become victorious! Ourselves, again, while victorious, are vanquished! Having slain brothers and friends and sires and sons and well-wishers, and kinsmen, and counsellors, and having vanquished them all, we ourselves are vanquished at last! Misery looks like prosperity and prosperity looks like misery! This our victory has assumed the shape of defeat. Our victory, therefore, has ended in defeat! Having won the victory, I am obliged to grieve as an afflicted wretch. How, then, can I regard it as a victory? In reality, I have been doubly defeated by the foe. They for whose sake we have incurred the sin of victory by slaying our kinsmen and friends,alas, they, after victory had crowned them, have been vanquished by defeated foes that were heedful!

Pandavas went searching for Ashwatthama to sage Vyasa's ashram. On seeing the approaching angered Pandavas, Ashwatthama as a last resort, he used his sacred knowledge of the Vedas to devise a Brahmashirsha astra from a blade of grass and invoked it against the Pandavas and Krishna. On seeing the Brahmashirsha astra approaching the Pandavas, Krishna asked Arjuna to invoke the same. Arjuna invokes Brahmashirsha astra, which he received by Dronacharya itself, towards Ashwatthama.

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Narada and Vyasa came to stop Brahmashirsha astra used by Aswatthama and Arjuna

On seeing the two powerful astra's heading for a head on cataclysmic (catastrophic) collision that would result in the total annihilation of the entire Earth, sage Vyasa stopped these divine weapons from colliding with each other by using his yogic power. He asked both these warriors to withdraw their respective weapons. Arjuna was able to withdraw his Brahmashirsha astra, while Ashwatthama could not do so as Dronocharya did not teach his son how to withdraw it.An archer who is able to invoke and withdraw any Divyastra (Divine Weapon) can invoke it as many times as he wishes. Dronacharya taught Arjuna to withdraw Brahmashirsha astra but he did not do so to Aswatthama, thus limiting the power of Aswatthama to invoke Brahmashirsha astra for only one instance. However, Aswatthama was given the option of deviating his weapon towards one single isolated object in a place that was not inhabited by any form of life, so that the Brahmashirsha astra does not harm anyone on Earth. But Ashwatthama, out of rage, directed the weapon towards the womb of Uttara (wife of Abhimanyu) who was carrying Abhimanyu's son (Parikshit) in an attempt to end the lineage of the Pandavas.The angered Pandavas want to kill Aswatthama, but Sage Vyasa prohibited Pandavas from doing so because Pandavas themselves employed deceit to kill their own Guru Drona. Sage Vyasa explained that it was due to the severe sin of killing their Guru Drona by unethical means ,the Pandavas suffered severe tragedy and their entire lineage came to extinction. Further Sage Vyasa warned Pandavas that he will curse Pandavas if they ever tried to kill Aswatthama, the lone survivor of their Gurus lineage.

Fate

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Ashwatthama surrenders his gem to Draupadi

Ashwatthama had a gem which was similar to Shamantakamani on his forehead which used to protect the wearer from fear of any snakes, ghosts, demigods,demons,old age and diseases. So Ashwatthama was asked to surrender this gem. Enraged Krishna then cursed Ashwatthama that for 3000 years he will roam in the forests with blood and puss oozing out of his injuries and cry for death. Since he had no fear of death during war, death would not meet him. He will have neither any hospitality nor any accommodation; He will be in total isolation without any contact of physical communication from mankind and society; The wound caused by the removal of this gem on his forehead will not heal and his body will suffer from a host of incurable diseases forming sores and ulcers that would never heal for 3000 years" . It is believed that in Kaliyuga, his name will be "Suryakanta".

Alternate theories about Ashwatthama's fate

In a Kannada version of Mahabaratha written by Kumara Vyasa, the author claimed that he wrote Mahabaratha by listening to Sage Aswatthama. It was said in different sources and alternate theories that, in order to escape from the curse of Lord Krishna, Aswatthama approached his Parama Guru (guru's guru) Lord Parasurama, who was also an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Parasurama felt pity at Aswatthama and agreed to help him. It was said that Aswatthama was only an instrument in Lord Shiva's plan to exterminate all the evil people from earth. Since it was Lord Shiva who entered into Aswatthama's body and exterminated Pandava forces, Aswatthama was absolved of all sins. It was said that Pandavas met Aswathama once again 36 years later when they were travelling to the Himalayas to seek pardon from Lord Siva for their heinous crimes in war. The description says Pandavas found Aswatthama happy in the company of Lord Parasurama and Sage Durvasa in an ashram on the banks of river Ganga and Aswatthama was found free from all curses. It was believed that Lord Parasurama and Maharishi Durvasa initiated Aswatthama into Sakthi worship, which is considered to be the supreme of all modes of worship. By worshipping Adi ParaSakthi, the mother of Lord Brahma,Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, Aswatthama bypassed the curse of Lord Krishna.

It is said in ancient scriptures that "If God is angry at you, Guru can save you. But if Guru is angry at you, even God cannot save you". Alternate theories suggest that as per the words in scriptures Aswatthama sought the help of his gurus and escaped the wrath of God. Maharashi Ashwathama lives along with his mother Kripi and his maternal uncle sage Kripa, both being great yogis somewhere in the Himalayas.

Ashwatthama and Brahmashirsha Astra

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Ashwatthama and Brahmashirastra

Ashwatthama sought the knowledge of Brahmashirsha astra from his father Drona. Dronacharya taught Ashwatthama only to invoke Brahmashirsha astra, but does not teach him how to withdraw it. This was because Drona earlier gave his word to Arjuna that he will make Arjuna the greatest archer. So in order to fulfill his promise Drona gave only partial knowledge of Brahmashirsha astra to Ashwatthama but he gave full knowledge to Arjuna.Drona was bound by his word to Arjuna, so later he was also forced by circumstances to cut off the thumb of Karat prince Ekalavya because he seemed superior in skill to Arjuna. Ashwatthama had a partial knowledge in the context of Bramhashirastra. He only knew how to invoke it, but did not know how to withdraw it.If an archer is aware of both the invocation and withdrawal of any celestial weapon, then he can invoke it as many times as he wants. Hence, to avoid Ashwatthama from invoking Bramhashirastra multiple times, Dronacharya only gives a partial knowledge about it. If an archer invokes Bramhashirastra once, it not only destroys the target, but also leads to a famine in the region for 12 years. If a Bramhashirastra is invoked twice, then it can even lead to draining of the entire ocean on Earth.

Duryodhana’s dilemmas

When Duryodhana was lying in the battle field, awaiting death, badly bruised by the wounds inflicted by Bhima. He kept his three fingers in a raised position and was unable to speak. All the efforts made by his men to understand the meaning proved to be futile. Seeing his plight Krishna approached him and said "I know what issues occupied your mind. I will address them".Krishna identified the issues as - not building a fort around Hastinapur, not persuading Vidura to fight the battle, not making Ashwatthama the commander-in-chief after the death of Dronacharya.On hearing this Duryodhana closed all the fingers and rested. Duryodhana concluded that these 3 factors should have surely brought him victory.If he had built a fort around Hastinapur,he could have totally avoided the war in the first place and he don't have to worry about the power of Pandavas. If Vidura fought on his side,he would have the best strategist, even better than Lord Krishna. At last only Duryodhana came to the conclusion that Lord Krishna is in fact the avatar of Lord Vishnu.If Duryodhana had made Ashwatthama as the commander of the army after the death of Drona,victory would have surely be his as Ashwatthama was the avatar of Lord Shiva. No one can handle a 'furious' Ashwatthama, the part incarnate of Lord Shiva.Lord Shiva is pleasing most of the time but no one in the entire universe can handle a furious Lord Shiva.Similarly all Duryodhana need to do to win the war was to make Ashwatthama furious. Just like Pandavas had Lord Krishna, the avatar of Lord Vishnu, Duryodhana had the avatar of Lord Shiva, but he never utilized Ashwatthama.The remorse about under utilizing Ashwatthama prompted Duryodhana to rethink and made Ashwatthama the commander of his army after the war,after his defeat. These events led to the complete destruction of Pandava army and lineage and at the end the victorious Pandavas felt like the looser.After the night raid of Ashwatthama on Pandava camp Duryodhana felt like he had won the war, as the Pandavas lost everything and everyone they care about.

Skill as a warrior

In Udyoga Parva of Mahabarath, Bhishma declared Ashwatthama as a mighty Maharathi, or a warrior capable of fighting 720,000 warriors simultaneously; circumspect in his mastery of all forms of weapons and combat skills.

The mighty bowman (Aswatthaman) who is Drona's son surpasseth all bowmen. Acquainted with all modes of warfare, and of unbaffled weapons, he is a Maharatha. Like the wielder of Gandiva(Arjuna), the shafts of this warrior, shot from his bow, proceed in a continuous line, touching one another. If he wishes it, this Maharatha is capable of consuming the three worlds. Engaged in austerities in his hermitage, he has, by these, increased both his fury and energy. Possessed of great intelligence, he has been favored by Drona with (the gift of all) celestial weapons. Amongst the warriors of both armies there is no one who can be regarded as his peer. On even a single car he can annihilate the very army of the celestials.Possessed of a strong frame, he can split the very mountains by the flaps of his bow-string, striking against the leathern fence on his left arm. Endued with innumerable qualities, this smiter of fierce effulgence will wander (over the field of battle), incapable of being withstood like Yama(the lord of death) himself, mace in hand. Resembling the fire at the end of the Yuga as regards his fury, possessed of leonine neck, and endued with great lustre, Aswatthaman will extinguish the embers of this battle between the Bharata's.

In Drona Parva of Mahabarath, it gives a detailed explanation of the skill of Drona's son Aswatthaman.

Obtaining all the secrets regarding celestial weapons with every detail, the son of Saradwat's daughter has become a second Drona, and a great hero. Aswatthaman is equal to Karna in knowledge of weapons, to Purandara in battle, to Kartavirya in energy, and Vrihaspati in wisdom. In fortitude, that youth is equal to a mountain, and in energy to fire. In gravity, he is equal to an ocean, and in wrath, to the poison of the snake. He is the foremost of all car-warriors in battle, a firm bowman, and above all fatigue. In speed he is equal to the wind itself and he careens in the thick of fight like Yama in rage. While his engaged in shooting arrows in battle, the very earth becomes afflicted. Of prowess incapable of being baffled, hero is never fatigued by exertions. Purified by the Vedas and by vows, he is a thorough master of the science of arms, like Rama, the son of Dasharatha. He is like the ocean,incapable of being agitated.

Themes and Analysis

Aswatthama was a great warrior and was one of the greatest archers of his times. Like Bhishma, Drona, Arjuna and Karna he had all divine weapons in his armory. But Duryodhana did not think highly of him because of his immense love for Karna and made no secret of his opinion either. For Duryodhana, one who sought immortality was afraid of death and one who was afraid of death was a disgrace to the community of warriors. Aswatthama always considered the war as unnecessary but he fought in the war just to do his duty towards his king. Aswatthama was a very good friend of both Pandavas and Kauravas and always argued Duryodhana to desist from war considering the welfare of Hastinapura. Aswatthama was never part of any crooked methods of Duryodhana and is always considered fair to both Pandavas and Kauvaras.He was always strongly against the plots of Duryodhana. The Pandavas even requested Aswatthama to fight for them before the beginning of the war but just like Bhishma, Drona and Kripa, Aswatthama was also tied to Hastinapura owing to his duty towards Kauvarava king. But towards the end of the war Aswatthama lost his cool after witnessing all the cheatings done by Lord Krishna and Pandavas in the name of Dharma by blowing away all the rules of engagements of the war. So Aswatthama become furious and decided to exterminate the Pandavas by any means necessary.

External links

Original text online Template:Sa icon

• etext (metrical), entered by Muneo Tokunaga
• GRETIL etext (Muneo Tokunaga)
• Mahābhārata online
• History: Encounters with Ashwatthama