Ashwathama: “A Great Warrior”
Ashwathama is one of the complex and underrated characters in Mahabharata. His story remains mostly unexplored even with a great role in the Kurukshetra War. Ashwathama’s complexity arises due to his final act of revenge in Kurukshetra. It was against the Kshatriya rules. At the end of the war, Ashwathama almost killed the entire future generation of Pandavas.
Ashwathama was Guru Dronacharya and Kripi’s Son. Kripi was the sister of Kripacharya. His name was Ashwathama because he cried like a running horse at the time of birth. Ashwathama means a voice like a horse. Dronacharya, as we know, was a guru of both Pandava and Kauravas.
As described in Mahabharata, Ashwathama was a tall, dark and talented warrior. Ashwathama was one of the seven Chiranjeevi (One who will never die). Dronacharya gave birth to Ashwathama after his strong penance to Lord Shiva. Some consider Ashwathama as the son of Rudra, inheriting some of his qualities. Just like Rudra, it was impossible to beat him in the war when he is angry.
Ashwathama also had a valuable Mani(Gem) set on his forehead. Due to this, he ceases not to have any fear of weapons or disease or hunger. He ceases to have any fear of Gods, Danavas, and Nagas.
Birth of Ashwathama
- Drona did many years of severe penance(तपस्या) to please Lord Shiva. To receive a son who possesses the same valiance(शूरता) as Lord Shiva.
- Ashwathama is said to be the Avatar of Lord Shiva It was virtually impossible for anyone to kill or defeat him.
- He was born with a gem (Mani) on his forehead which makes him more powerful than all the living beings lower than humans. It also protects him from hunger, thirst, and fatigue.
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