Drona Putra, the mightiest Ashwatthama has been making headlines ever since a film with Shahid Kapoor in the titular role was announced based on the key character of Mahabharata. The cinematic adaption on Ashwatthama has further raised curiosity among people regarding the immortal being who fought on the side of the Kauravas against the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war.
Let us know more about the mysterious warrior and how he gained immortality from Lord Krishna and if he is still alive.
According to ancient scriptures, the mighty Ashwatthama was the son of Guru Dronacharya, the guru of both Kauravas and Pandavas. Drona and his wife Kripi were not able to bear a child. They were blessed with Ashwatthama after worshipping Tepeswar Mahadev Swayambhu Shivalinga in Himachal.
As per mythology, Ashwatthama is also considered a part of Lord Shiva. During his birth, he had a gem on his head that protected him from gods, demons and animals. During the Mahabharata war, Drona had to support the Kauravas to prove his loyalty for Hastinapur.
Ashwatthama also followed his father’s path and fought with the Kauravas. He became good friends with Duryodhana and overpowered the army of Pandavas. However, Lord Krishna used a trick and directed Yudhishthir to spread the news that Ashwatthama died in the war.
After hearing the news, Dronacharya allegedly gave up his weapons in grief, a report in Wikipedia states. Later, Draupadi’s brother Dhrishtadyumna beheaded Dronacharya. Ashwatthama became furious with his father’s death and vowed revenge on the Pandavas.
A furious Ashwatthama used Brahmastra against the Pandavas forcing Arjuna also to use his Brahmastra. The collision of the two Brahmastras would lead to catastrophe, so Lord Krishna asked them to take back their Brahmastras.
While Arjuna obeyed Lord Krishna, Ashwatthama failed to do so and fired his Brahmastra towards the womb of pregnant Uttara in an attempt to end the lineage of the Pandavas.
Ashwatthama was then made to surrender the gem on his forehead and cursed by Lord Krishna that he would roam in the forests until the end of Kali Yuga with blood and pus oozing out of his injuries and cry for death, but death would not meet him.