Lord Shiva

Stories You Need To Know #5

Ashwatthama Avatar 

Guru Dronacharya had performed intense penance to please Lord Shiva. He wanted the Lord to be born as his son. Therefore, pleased by Guru Dronacharya’s devotion, Lord Shiva took birth as Ashwatthama, an able warrior who played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata.

Before the Mahabharata war, Guru Dronacharya reached the Himalayas (Rishikesh) while traveling to many places. There, in a divine cave on the banks of the Tamasa river, there is a self-styled Shivalinga named Tapeshwar. Here Guru Dronacharya and his wife Mata Kripi did penance to Shiva. Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva granted him the boon of having a son. After some time, Mother Kripi gave birth to a beautiful Tejashwi child. As soon as he was born, there was a sound of snoring from his throat, due to which his name was Ashwatthama. 

A priceless gem was present in Ashwatthama’s head since birth, which kept him fearless from demons, demons, weapons, diseases, gods, snakes, etc.

During the Mahabharata war, Guru Dronacharya thought it appropriate to support the Kauravas due to allegiance to the kingdom of Hastinapur (Meerut). Like his father, Ashwatthama was also proficient in Shastra and weaponry. He took an active part in the war of Mahabharata. In the Mahabharata war, he was a commander of the Kaurava side. He killed Ghatotkacha’s son Anjanaparva. Apart from him, Drupadakumar, Shatrunjaya, Balanik, Jayanik, Jayashva, and King Shrutahu were also killed. He killed ten sons of Kuntibhoja.

The father-son duo dispersed the Pandava army during the Mahabharata war. Seeing the defeat of the Pandavas’ army, Shri Krishna asked Yudhishthira to resort to diplomacy. Under this plan, it was spread that “Ashwatthama was killed”. But he said “but the elephant” in a very soft voice, and refrained from lying. Before this incident, the Pandavas and the people of their side had a detailed discussion with Shri Krishna about whether it would be true that “But the elephant” should be spoken in such a voice. Shri Krishna blew a conch shell simultaneously, Due to whose noise Guru Dronacharya could not hear the last word.

 Hearing the news of the death of his beloved son, Dronacharya gave up his arms and closed his eyes on the battlefield, and sat in a state of mourning. Knowing that Guru Dronacharya was dead, Draupadi’s brother Dyushtadyumna beheaded him with a sword. After the ruthless killing of Guru Dronacharya, the Pandavas started winning.

 In the Mahabharata war, the Kauravas were destroyed by Arjuna’s arrows and Bhimsen’s mace. The wicked and arrogant Duryodhana’s thigh was also broken by Bhimsen in a wrestling match. Seeing such  condition of his king Duryodhana and remembering the death of his father Dronacharya, Ashwatthama became impatient. Duryodhana knew the art of binding water. So he entered the same pond near which Gadyuddha was going and hid the water tied up.

 With the defeat of Duryodhana, the victory of the Pandavas in the war was confirmed, all the people of the Pandava camp were getting drunk in the joy of victory. 

Ashwatthama used Narayana Astra on the Pandavas to avenge the brutal murder of his father Dronacharya. In front of which the entire Pandava army had laid down its weapons. After the battle, Ashwatthama killed Draupadi’s five sons and Dyushtadyumna. Ashwatthama used Brahmastra on Abhimanyu’s son Parikshit.

 Ashwatthama is immortal and is still alive today. Due to the curse of Shri Krishna, Ashwatthama got the cod disease. He is still alive today. 

                   Om Namah Shivae 🙏🙏