Ashwatthama: 1 definition
Introduction:
Ashwatthama means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Apam Napat: Indian MythologyAshwatthama was the son of Drona and Kripi. When he was born, he neighed like a horse, and that is why he was given his name. (In Sanskrit Ashwa=Horse). He struck an ill-fated friendship with the Kaurava Duryodhana when both of them were students under Drona. He was the main reason why Drona and Kripa fought on the Kaurava side in the great war of Kurukshetra.
During the war, his father Drona was killed by Dhrishtadhyumna by underhanded means. After the war was over, Ashwatthama avenged his father's death by killing Dhrishtadhyumna in the dead of the night, by kicking him to death without allowing him to draw a weapon. He also murdered all the upa-pandava's (sons of the Pandavas by Draupadi) by setting fire to their tent. His crimes did not stop there, he launched the most potent missile, the Brahmastra, aimed at utterly eradicating the line of the Pandavas. This missile went and struck the womb of Uttara who was carrying the child that was the sole heir of the Pandavas. The child was born dead, but was fortunately revived by Krishna. This child was Parikshit, who inherited the kingdom after the Pandavas.
For these dastardly deeds, he was defeated in battle by Arjuna, who asked Draupadi to pronounce his sentence. According to her judgment, his hair was shaved off (this is a mark of shame), and she also cursed him to eternal torment. He is till this day wandering the earth, never knowing a moment's peace, suffering eternal torments for his appalling crimes.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Draunayana, Kripi, Shikhandi, Brahmasira, Drupada, Yudhamanyu, Kripa, Pandava.
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