ASHWATTHAMA :- THE GREAT WARRIOR

ASHWATTHAMA :- THE GREAT WARRIOR

Ashwatthama : A Great Hero, Villain or a WAR CRIMINAL ? Who exactly was Ashwatthama  

According to Shiv Mahapurana, Acharaya Drona meditated and was able to please Lord Shiva. On asking a boon, Acharaya Dron asked for a son from the almighty Lord Shiva. 

As per Mahabharat, a son was born to Acharaya Drona and his wife Kripi in due time. It is mentioned in some texts that the son born had the powers of Kaal, krodh, Yam and Shiva. He was born with a Gem (mani) on his forehead which was similar to Shamantakamani. This mani protected him from the fear of snake, poison, Ghosts, DemiGods, Devil Etc.  

   

On his birth he cried and the voice was like that of a horse. As the result the baby boy was named Ashwatthama. (According to The Mahabharata, Aswatthaman means "the horse-voiced” It is so called because when he was born he cried like a horse)

Acharaya Drona himself became his Guru. Ashwatthama grew up to be a very strong young man. About his appearance, it is said that he was very strong about 12 feet tall dark colored muscular youth. …… About him it is rightly said

“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 Maharathi 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 Maharathi 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 favoured by Drona with (the gift of all) celestial weapons...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 Udyoga Parva of Mahabarath, Bhishma declared Ashwatthama as a mighty Maharathi, or a warrior capable of fighting 60,000 warriors simultaneously; circumspect in his mastery of all forms of weapons and combat skills.

Defining Ashwatthama it is said:-

Along with sage Parashurama and sage Vyasa, Aswatthama is considered to be foremost among the rishis.

 Aswatthama will become the next sage Vyasa, who in turn divide the Veda in 29th Mahayuga of 7th Manavantra.

Aswatthama will also become one of the Sapta Rishis in the 8th Manavantara

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

In Drona Parva of Mahabharath, 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. Acharaya Drona loved his son very dearly. His love towards his son leads to many wanted and unwanted situations. In the great battle of Mahabharata, Acharaya Drona and Ashwatthama took Kaurava’s side. Ashwathama had secret envy from Arjuna as Arjuna became favourite student of his father. He was inclined towards Duryodhana and became his friend.   He is one of the 8 chiranjeevis (immortals) that we have in Hindu mythology. Here is a list of all: Ashwathama -a man cursed to immortality and extreme suffering without love from anybody for his role in the murder of the five sons of the Pandavas and his attempted murder of Arjuna's grandson Bali (demon) -a righteous demon king who conquered heaven, earth, and the underworld, but was forced to give it back by Vamana and return to Pataal. Bali, as per Hindu mythology, will be appointed Indra (King of GODS) for next Manvantra. Vyasa -a sage who narrated the Mahabharata, he was also a sage in the epic Hanuman -a monkey deva who served Rama. Vibhishana -Ravana's brother who was made King of Lanka by Rama Kripacharya -a teacher of the princes in the Mahabharata Parashurama -an avatar of Vishnu Markandeya -a great rishi अश्वत्थामा बलिव्र्यासो हनूमांश्च विभीषण:। कृप: परशुरामश्च सप्तएतै चिरजीविन:॥ सप्तैतान् संस्मरेन्नित्यं मार्कण्डेयमथाष्टमम्। जीवेद्वर्षशतं सोपि सर्वव्याधिविवर्जित।।

“

In the war of kurukshetra Ashwatthama using Narayana's Astra  On the 15th Day of war, Pandavas managed to kill Acharaya Drona by spreading the rumour of Ashwatthama’s death. This angered Ashwatthama and he didn’t allowed Pandavas to attend his father’s last rituals. However, despite of his animosity, after the death of Dusshasan, Ashwtthama still suggested Duryadhana to make peace with Pandavas, keeping in mind the welfare of Hastinapur. But Duryodhana strongly refused to his proposal. On the last night of the war, (18th Day of War) after Duryodhana death, Ashwatthama gathered the only survivor of kauravas warriors, (Kritavarma and Kripacharya) and attacked the Pandavas. . He strangled Dhrishtadyumna to death in his sleep, beating and thrashing the semi-conscious warrior,  He moved on and killed Shikhandi, Uttamaujas and many other prominent warriors of the Pandava army.  Those who tried to flee from Ashwatthama's wrath were killed by Kripacharyya and Kritavarma at the camp's entrance.  He killed Draupadi's five sons, the Upapandavas, while they were sleeping, believing them to be the five Pandava brothers.  After killing all, Ashwatthama went to Duryodana to tell him that all the Pandavas have been killed. When he, Kripa, and Kritverma arrive, Duryodhana was already dead. Soon the news spread everywhere, and Ashwatthama came to know that he has killed the children instead of Pandavas.  This hurt him badly and realizing his mistake, he went to Sage Vedavyasa's ashram in order to seek salvation and punishment (prayaschittam) for his crime. Pandavas with Krishna were not present on the camp that night. They returned next morning. Incensed over this cowardly act of Ashwatthama, the Pandavas went after him to sage Vyasa's ashram.  On seeing the approaching angered Pandavas, Ashwatthama who learnt that he had killed the children and not the Pandavas, realised that he was trapped with the Pandavas.  Afraid as he was, he used a last resort. He summoned Bramhashirastra from a blade of grass and invoked it against the Pandavas and Krishna, although he was strictly forbidden to do so by his father Dronacharya for any purpose whatsoever.  On seeing the Brahmashirastra approaching the Pandavas, Krishna asked Arjuna to invoke the same. Arjuna invokes Bramhashirastra, which he received by Dronacharya itself, towards Ashwatthama. The whole Universe trembled as the great weapon was summoned. All divine forces, realising the end of universe, immediately got worried. Sage Ved Vyasa stopped these divine weapons from colliding with each other by using his yogic power. Divine powers requested them to withdraw their respective weapons. Arjuna was able to withdraw his Brahmashirastra, 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 Brahmashirastra but he did not do so to Ashwathama, thus limiting the power of Ashwathama to invoke Brahmashirastra for only one instance. However, Ahswathama 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 Brahmashirastra does not harm anyone on Earth.  But Ashwatthama, out of spite, 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. krishna giving life to Arjuna's dead son Punishment for Ashwtthama Krishna took the mani from Ashwatthama’s forehead in order to punish him. As the result, there remained a deep wound on his forehead, oozing with blood and pus. He was cursed that the wound will never be cured. As he was the friend of Durydhan, to ease him, Ashwathama took all sins of his friend so Duryodhan may find peace in Heaven. As a result he embraced the disease of leprosy. His powers were snached and so his great personality. He became like ordinary man, was named Suryakant for Kaliyuga. Bearing the sin of his friend, curse of krishna he is still alive, he cannot mix with any society, and wanders alone as an outcaste. He is to remain in this state till the end of Kaliyuga. Wishing every moment for Death. At the end of Kaliyuga he will meet Final Avatar of Lord Vishnu KALKI and then he will be relieved from his pains. It is believed that Great Ashwatthama lives near the banks of River GANGA, meditating upon Lord SHIVA.   Many people and Native tribes claim to have met with him. Many tried to cure his wound but none was successful. Once in six months, he goes towards higher Himalayas to meet Kripacharya, who is meditating somewhere in Himalayas with other great Sages. This avatar of Lord Shiva gives us a message that we should learn to keep a control on our anger because anger can become a huge reason for our problems.

Some interesting weapons of Ancient GODS

Some interesting weapons of Ancient GODS

The Pashupatastra (IAST: Pāśupatāstra, sanskrit: पाशुपतास्त्र)^[etymology?], in Hindu History, is an irresistible and most destructive personal weapon of Shiva and Kali, discharged by the mind, the eyes, words, or a bow. 

 Never to be used against lesser enemies or by lesser warriors, the Pashupatastra is capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. Pashupatastra is the weapon of Pashupati Nath, Once called, this great weapon draws its power from all living creatures, Plants, Planets, Stars, and Cosmos, making it the most powerful and indestructible weapon.   It is said that the mantra to obtain and discharge the astra is sealed by Shiva to prevent its misuse in the Kali Yuga. It could be neutralized only through another Pashupatastra or any Astra which has Lord Vishnu as presiding deity.

Brahmastra and Brahmashira 

Brahmasrta is Lord Brahma’s Weapon which once launched can only be stopped by brhmadanda (A device also created by Lord Brahma)  

It was believed to be obtained by meditating on the Creator in the Vedas, Lord Brahma; it could only be used once in a lifetime. The user would have to display immense amounts of mental concentration. Once used it produced emmence heat melting everything in its rangs, made lands barren for years and distorted the life forms. The weapon was created to maintain dharma in creation and can be used on any who comes under Brahma’s creation. (Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Maha kali etc are not Brahma’s creation) Once summoned, the weapon draws its power from nucleus, molecules and atoms of the products of HIS creation. (Present Nuclear weapons and hydrogen Bombs). The next weapon in this series is Brahmashira, also created by lord Brahma. It is four times more powerful than Brahmastra.  

NarayanAstra 

This Astra (Weapon) is used by lord Vishnu. Once launched it assumes the form of thousands of missile fired simultaneously. It takes its power from the mental resistance of the victim or number of victims. The more it is resisted, the more powerful it becomes. Total surrender to the weapon can stop its effect.    

Trishul

The trishul symbolism is polyvalent and rich. The trishul is wielded by the Hindu God Shiva. It is one of the most deadly weapons used by mighty Shiva.

The trishul is said to destroy the three worlds: the physical world, the world of the forefathers (representing culture drawn from the past) and the world of the mind (representing the processes of sensing and acting) 

Once launched, it destroys everything comes in its way along with the target. It has the power of three gunas of Lord Shiva. 

Most interestingly, it was Shiva that destroyed the Tripurasua [three flying mountain kingdoms] at the right time using archery - most wonderful story of Self Realization where Shiva is the Able soul piercing through three Gunas. 

Sudershan Chakra

 A Spinning Disk with 108 edges used by Lord VISHNU. It is an ultimate weapon used by lord Vishnu to maintain Dharma. It derives its power from time (KAAL). It derives the power from three kaals, the past, present and future. It is summoned through mind and rests on Index finger. The power it has varies from holder to holder. The more powerful is the holder (Spiritual power) the more powerful is the Chakra. With Lord Vishnu as the holder it is an ultimate weapon which can kill or save anyone. Legends say that this was made from Sun Dust.

 Some other Ancient weapons

Agni Astra (Fire weapon):

This divine weapon had the power of Lord Agani (Fire). Many warriors used it in war times. Basically discharged from bow, threw fire on opponents or enemies.

 Varuna Astra (Water weapon):

Lord Varun (Lord of water and sea), being the  main deity, this weapon caused rain, flood or simply powerful water gun. Discharged through Bow, It is one of the most used weapons of ancient warriors.  

The above two weapons if not used correctly, could bring death to the user.

 Nagapash (Snake weapon):

Nagpash was again Lord Shiva weapon, was one of the most deadly weapon used. It became unstoppable if lord Shiva used it, and very few other warriors used it in war according to their strength. It was used against lord RAMA and Laxshmana in Ramayana, against Lord Indra by Ravana’s Son Meghdoot (Indrajeet).  As the name suggests, this weapon was used to literally entwine the enemy in a thousand venomous snakes.

Shiva’s Bow:

Lord Shiva had a lot weapons which he used for destroying and destruction. This was a great bow and was broken by lord RAMA to win Devi SITA.

Weapons of Ancient Hindu GODS

Weapons of Ancient Hindu GODS

The story goes like:-

 Once a Brahmin named Vrutra gave up his dharma – duty – of doing good to others. Instead he turned to violence.  Devas (GOD’S) opposed him. He was later known by the name of Vrutrasur.

Vritasur got a boon that he will be not killed by any weapon known till date, moreover he also got a boon that he will not be killed by any weapon made of Wood or metal. On getting such boons, his power and evil deeds increased. King of Devas Lord Indra lost a fight against him, and flees with no hope of gaining his kingdom back.

Losing all hopes, all Gods (Devas), semi Gods assembled in front of great Lord and great Lord advised him to make a weapon of bones of some great ascetic.

King Indra thought for long and asked the lord “Will anybody give up his body for such a purpose? Who would die to provide a weapon?” On this the accompanying demigods advised “O devas! Go to Dadhichi Rishi, make a weapon with his bones. Beg to him. He is a great saint. He will surely Go and help all.  Hence King Indra with all Devas Naimisharanya, the place where ashram of saint Dadichi is located, and after narrating the cause, begged for his bones to make a weapon for the benefit of all the universes.

Rishis and sadhus perform tapas for the benefit of mankind and all creation. They tolerate hardships, insults and perform austerities without any thought of personal gain Dadhichi was himself such a saint. He agreed to willingly offer his body to save the troubled Devas. The supreme donor is one who gives happily what is asked, without desiring any favour.

The great Rishi Dadhichi sat in meditation pose and meditated upon supreme soul. His pure soul left and left his body. The Devas collected his bones and went to Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma crafted large number of divine weapons from the bones. The most powerful and supreme weapons were:-

1.    Vajra – Created from the spine. This vajra was given to Devas king Lord Indra. Vajra was indestructible with the power of thunder and lightning. With this weapon, Indra was able to defeat Vritasura after a long battle which lasted for 365 days.

2.    Bow Sarang – This was the most powerful weapon made from the Rishi’s bones. The holder of this bow was invincible. Much more powerful than vajra, was given to Lord Vishnu to protect Dharma. Later Lord RAMA was given this bow during his incarnation. This powerful bow was used to slay the great Rakshsa Kumbhkarana and the Rakshsa King Ravana. Later lord Krishna had the same bow which helped him to protect Dharma.    

3.    Bow Pinak – This was also a very powerful bow made from Great Rishi’s bones. The holder of this bow was considered invincible. The bow itself withheld great power. The bow was taken by the Great Guru, the greatest archer and the Yogi Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva’s Pinak became so famous that Lord Shiva was named as Pinaki, The holder of Pinak. Rudri (in Rudraabhishekh) has verses praising Shiva powers and the destruction Shiva unleashed using his Pinak.  Later it was known as Shiv Dhanusha, and this Great Pinak was the Bow which was given to Parshurama, the great disciple of lord Shiva, by lord Shiva himself for restoring Dharma. Later it was given to King Janaka, kept in Mithila, worshipped there and then broken by lord RAMA. The breaking of this bow unleashed the great power which was transferred to Lord RAMA.  This Shiva power was necessary for the incarnation to get all the power required for that incarnation.   

Shree RAMA brakes SHBIV DHANUSH

However, according to some legends, Pinak or Vijaya (Much better bow than Arjuna’s Gandiv and Shree Krishna’s SARANG) travelled from lord Shiva to Parshurama and then to KARANA in Mahabharat era. The bow broken by Lord RAMA was not Pinakin but other Shiva Bow.    

karana with his Pinakin

4.    Bow Gandeev - This bow was also very powerful and the holder of this bow was considered invincible. The creator Lord Brahma becomes the holder of this Bow. Lord Brahma hold the bow for 1000 years, then was given to Prajapati, who retained it for 503 years. Indra for another 580 years, Varuna for 100 years before passing to Arjuna (Mahabharat). The bow had gold plated which reflected in sunlight, blinding the opponent, had radiant edges, 100 strings and sounded like thunder every time arrow (Missile) was fired from it. After the war Agani took the bow back from Arjuna.   

Arjuna wuth his Gandiva