Ashwatthama, son of Drona and Kripi, was born under extraordinary circumstances, neighing like a horse at birth, thus earning his name (Ashwa = Horse in Sanskrit). From a young age, he exhibited traits of power and skill, traits that would come to define him as a warrior. His friendship with Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava, was formed during their time as students under his father, Drona. This relationship later influenced Drona’s and Kripa’s decision to align with the Kauravas during the epic Kurukshetra War, as Ashwatthama’s loyalty to Duryodhana bound his family to the Kaurava cause.
In the great war, Ashwatthama’s journey took a dark turn. His father, Drona, was killed under deceptive circumstances orchestrated by Dhrishtadhyumna, who attacked him unarmed. Enraged by this and driven by the desire for vengeance, Ashwatthama waited for the cover of night, then infiltrated the Pandava camp to kill Dhrishtadhyumna in cold blood, kicking him to death and denying him any chance to defend himself. He didn’t stop there. Consumed by his wrath, Ashwatthama murdered the Upa-Pandavas—the sons of the Pandavas and Draupadi—by setting fire to their tent as they slept, marking one of the most tragic episodes in the war.
However, his vengeance continued as he attempted to annihilate the line of the Pandavas entirely by unleashing the powerful Brahmastra—an invincible weapon capable of immense destruction. His Brahmastra was targeted at the womb of Uttara, the widow of Abhimanyu, who was carrying the last descendant of the Pandavas. The weapon struck her womb, and the child, Parikshit, was born lifeless. But by divine intervention, Krishna revived the infant, who later became the heir to the Pandava legacy.
For these actions, Ashwatthama’s fate took a grievous turn. In a final encounter, Arjuna subdued him and brought him to face judgment before Draupadi. Instead of exacting death, Draupadi chose a symbolic punishment. His forehead jewel—a sign of his extraordinary powers—was taken from him, and his hair was shaved as a mark of shame. Draupadi then cursed him to roam the earth for eternity, never knowing peace, constantly plagued by suffering and regret for his unforgivable deeds.
Thus, to this day, Ashwatthama is believed to wander the earth, eternally tormented, symbolizing the consequences of unchecked anger and vengeance. His story serves as a grim reminder within the Mahabharata of the profound impact of choice, loyalty, and the tragic outcomes of war.