अश्वत्थामा
Ashwatthama, the son of Drona and Kripi, had an extraordinary birth. As an infant, he neighed like a horse, which led to his name, derived from the Sanskrit word “Ashwa” meaning horse. Ashwatthama formed a fateful friendship with Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava, during their time as students under Drona, his father. This bond significantly influenced the allegiance of Drona and Kripa to the Kaurava side during the epic Kurukshetra war.
The war of Kurukshetra, as narrated in the Mahabharata, saw Drona, a formidable warrior and teacher, fall to a cunning stratagem. Dhrishtadyumna, born to slay Drona, killed him through deceptive means. Consumed by grief and rage over his father’s death, Ashwatthama vowed vengeance.
After the war concluded, Ashwatthama executed his revenge in a brutal and merciless manner. In a nighttime raid, he killed Dhrishtadyumna by kicking him to death, denying him any chance to defend himself. He didn’t stop there; driven by a desire to wipe out his enemies, he set fire to the tent of the Upa-Pandavas, the sons of the Pandavas by Draupadi, murdering them all.
Ashwatthama’s actions escalated further when he unleashed the Brahmastra, an immensely powerful weapon, with the intention of annihilating the Pandava lineage. This deadly missile struck Uttara, who was pregnant with Parikshit, the sole heir of the Pandavas. The unborn child died, but was miraculously revived by Krishna, ensuring the continuity of the Pandava dynasty.
For his heinous crimes, Ashwatthama faced retribution. He was defeated in battle by Arjuna, who then presented him to Draupadi for judgment. Draupadi, displaying a blend of justice and mercy, ordered his head to be shaved, a mark of profound disgrace. Additionally, she cursed him to a life of eternal torment. As a result, Ashwatthama is condemned to wander the earth, never finding peace, perpetually suffering for his grievous misdeeds.
Ashwatthama’s tale is a tragic one, marked by a descent into vengeance and brutality that ultimately led to his eternal suffering. His life serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of unchecked anger and the dire consequences of forsaking moral integrity.